A 16-year-old Russian MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter died after receiving a roundhouse kick to the head during a bout in Belogorsk in which he competed without a helmet in violation of the rules.

Stanislav Melyukov, mayor of Belogorsk, reported that the boy died in hospital shortly after he was admitted to the ICU and that the tournament was contested without an official license.

'The Sun' newspaper reports that this tragedy happened in Russia's Amur region, and reports that in Russia all underage participants must wear helmets in order to compete in MMA.

The Russian MMA Union and local authorities are now investigating the death of the young fighter, who had been competing in the Open MMA Cup at the Rodina Sports Club.

Yevgeny Zlivko, president of the MMA Federation in the Amur region, could face charges in connection with the young fighter's death as part of a criminal case initiated by the Russian Investigative Committee: "I have already been questioned by investigators. They have initiated a criminal case and hold me responsible. I am one hundred percent sure."

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