Sho Sekihara in critical condition after knockout in RIZIN 55 fight
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 12, 2026, 12:14 PM
Last updated Nov 12, 2026
Sho Sekihara, a 33-year-old Japanese flyweight fighter, is in critical condition following a knockout during the RIZIN 55 event against Takumi Hamada. Sekihara suffered an acute subdural hematoma when slammed to the canvas on the back of his head. After taking additional punches, the referee stopped the fight with four seconds remaining in the third round. Sekihara received emergency surgery but his condition deteriorated, requiring further operation. This incident raises concerns about the safety protocols in combat sports following Sekihara's prior brain injury in 2022.
- •Sekihara was knocked out with seconds left in the third round.
- •He suffered a brain bleed and underwent emergency surgery.
- •His condition worsened after initial surgery, needing another operation.
- •The event took place at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY in Chiba, Japan.
- •Previous injuries in Japanese combat sports have prompted calls for safety reforms.
- 12:14 PMYahoo Sports — RIZIN 55’s Sho Sekihara fighting for life in hospital after brutal slam knockout
"Japanese flyweight fighter Sho Sekihara suffered an acute subdural hematoma during his RIZIN 55 fight with Takumi Hamada and is in critical condition, according to a statement put out by RIZIN officials. The 33 year old Sekihara was slammed to the canvas on the back of his head by Hamada during their fight at the […]
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