Amateur fighter dies after suffering a brain injury at a bout in the UK

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Saeideh Aletaha passed away after suffering a brain injury at a kickboxing event.

Saeideh Aletaha, 26, died on Sunday after reportedly suffering a brain injury during an amateur kickboxing fight in Southampton, England (per Sky News). Aletaha had been competing at Fast & Furious 19, an event that hosted MMA, kickboxing and boxing.

According to the BBC Aletaha, who worked as a product design engineer and lived in Salisbury, collapsed at the event and was taken to Southampton General Hospital at around 9:00 PM local time. The Sun reported that Aletaha died the following day as a result of her injuries.

Fast & Furious Fight Series wrote about Aletaha on their official Facebook page. That statement reads as follows:

Following the show Saturday we regret to announce that following one of our matches, one of the competitors, Sai Aletaha from Lookborai who lost, unfortunately suffered an injury leaving her in a critical state that she tragically has not recovered from.

All competitors get in prepared that they may be injured and this is something not expected to happen 99.9% of the time.

But, it can and in this we make the environment as safe as possible with pre and post medicals from a Doctor, and full medical cover through out with Doctor, Paramedic and Ambulance on site alongside our experienced team of staff with numerous first aiders, safety is not something ever skimped on in any of our 19 shows and all matches are made equal.

Thoughts of course go out to all family, friends and team mates, if anyone needs any support please come to us or your coaches.

Thank you to our team on the night who acted with utmost professionalism and carried their duties out above and beyond to react to the situation, and again we are here for any of you that needs it in this sad time.

Lookborai, the gym where Aletaha trained, also posted about Aletaha on Facebook. The gym stated that, “Aletaha was a lovely character with a beautiful soul. Her dedication to the sport was 110% traveling miles every day just to train. She found her place with us just a few months ago but has become apart of the family and will be sorely missed.”

Stonehenge CrossFit, another gym were Aletaha trained, also paid tribute to Aletaha via a Facebook post. That gym wrote that Aletaha was “popular, kind and liked by everyone in the community.” That post stated that around 30 members of the gym visited Aletaha’s bedside on Sunday to “say goodbye to their friend.”

According to a statement from Hampshire Police, law enforcement were contacted at around 1:00 AM on Sunday by the Southampton General Hospital informing them that Aletaha was receiving treatment for a life-threatening brain injury.

A police investigation into Aletaha’s death is ongoing.