The Match Was Canceled Due to a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (according to Dragon’s X account, “Yarubeshitara”) It Can Happen at Drinking Parties or Even at Home An incident that occurred the day before a match at the combat sports event “Breaking Down,” after the weigh-in, has sent shockwaves through the public. The incident took place during a pre-fight scene that has become a hallmark of the event—trash talk and scuffles between fighters. During a face-off after the weigh-in, a fighter was unexpectedly slapped, lost consciousness, and collapsed. At the hospital, the diagnosis was subarachnoid hemorrhage. This did not happen during a match, nor was any weapon used. A single open-handed slap, followed immediately by a fall, led to an irreversible situation. This incident is not limited to the world of combat sports. As year-end and New Year gatherings increase—bringing more drinking occasions such as year-end and New Year parties—the same danger lurks in everyday situations: minor arguments, verbal disputes, or light physical altercations. Dr. Satoshi Ozaki, neurosurgeon and director of Ebina Neurosurgical Clinic, issues a warning. “A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a condition in which bleeding occurs between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater that cover the surface of the brain. Because the leaked blood rapidly spreads around the brain, it causes sudden, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, and vomiting. It is commonly known to be caused by the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm, but it can also occur due to trauma—namely, impacts from being struck or from falling.” When a person collapses while unconscious or concussed, they cannot break their fall, often resulting in a strong impact to the back or side of the head. “In many cases, it’s not the impact of the blow itself, but the severe blow to the head when falling that causes traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. When someone loses consciousness, reflexes do not function. The person hits their head directly, and the brain is violently shaken inside the skull. That shock can tear small blood vessels, causing bleeding. This isn’t limited to combat sports—the same conditions exist in fights at drinking parties, street altercations, or even pushing matches within the home.”