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In wrestling-obsessed Russia, there are few wrestlers who had as incredible a career as that of Buvaisar Saitiev. Saitiev, who grew up in the Dagestan region, famed for its combat sport athletes, won three Olympic gold medals, and six world championships.
After his wrestling career came to an end, Saitiev did was many superstar Russian athletes do and entered into government. Sadly, the former superstar was found dead recently at the age of 49, with a Newsweek report suggesting that he “fell” from an open window.
According to Newsweek, “Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s security services, said Saitiev “may have fallen out of a window.”
Other reports suggested that Saitiev may well have suffered a heart attack. Some suggested that Saitiev dealt with a heart arrhythmia from a young age, while others stated that Saitiev may well have been connected with state-sponsored doping which took a toll on his heart health.
“Notably, Saitiev had no visible injuries or signs of bleeding, initially making the circumstances of his condition unclear,” said Baza.
UFC Stars Pay Tribute To Russian Wrestling Legend Saitiev After Suspicious Death
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who also has ties to the UFC. said on his Telegram channel that Saitiev had heart problems and had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Moscow.
(UFC stars Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje and Henry Cejudo were seen shooting guns with Kadyrov in 2022.
Current UFC middleweight star Khamzat Chimaev took to Instagram to post a tribute to Saitiev. As did fellow Russian stars Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
“May Allah forgive you, Brother. You inspired millions of children around the world, you will be missed,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “I express my sincere condolences to the family and friends, patience to you.”
Makhachev, the reigning middleweight champ said “An era has passed. A legend has passed,” shared Makhachev, offering “My condolences to all your family and friends, we will miss you.”