< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [SPORTS]

3 clusters · 15 sources · 22 days · First seen · Last updated

Kota Ibushi femur injury and surgery

Overview

Professional wrestler Kota Ibushi is facing significant medical setbacks regarding a femur injury sustained during a match against Josh Alexander in October 2025. Ibushi announced that he requires a second surgery to replace surgical plates inserted during a previous operation in the United States. The original hardware was reportedly deemed “too weak” to allow the bone to heal correctly. While medical professionals have suggested that a return to contact sports may be difficult or that a 2027 return might be more realistic, Ibushi expressed a determination to continue his career, stating, “I refuse to let something like this end my professional wrestling career.” Following the recent procedure to replace the plates, Ibushi revealed that he has been taking medication typically prescribed to cancer patients for approximately one year as part of his recovery process. He noted that his medical condition is “not normal” and stated that his current priority is returning to a normal life rather than an immediate return to the ring. Ibushi also disclosed mental health struggles, mentioning that he feels he might “lose the battle with himself” for the first time due to the prolonged recovery. In a September 2026 update, Ibushi confirmed that the surgery to replace the plates was successful, though the new hardware is intended to remain in his leg permanently. While he initially expressed doubt that a return might be “almost impossible” due to re-injury risks and long-term quality of life concerns, he later clarified his resolve, stating, “Even though a comeback seems hopeless, I will definitely return to the ring. I don’t know how many years it will take, but I will never give up.” He acknowledged his leg remains in poor condition and that he must adjust his physical approach, though no specific return timeline has been established.

Entities

AEW · Kota Ibushi · Josh Alexander · All Elite Wrestling · Shinjuku FACE

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 11 days ago

    [SPORTS] 12 sources
    Kota Ibushi updates health status following leg surgery

    AEW wrestler Kota Ibushi says an in-ring return is ‘almost impossible’ following surgery on a broken femur, though he vows to eventually make a comeback despite significant medical risks.

  2. 14 days ago

    [SPORTS] 5 sources
    Kota Ibushi to undergo second surgery on fractured femur

    AEW wrestler Kota Ibushi is undergoing a second surgery to replace inadequate plates in his fractured femur, vowing to return to professional wrestling despite the setback.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Kota Ibushi to undergo surgery on September 17 following injury setback

    AEW star Kota Ibushi will undergo surgery on September 17 to replace a weak femur plate, a setback that may prevent him from participating in contact sports in the future.

Sources

fightful.com · pwmania.com · rajah.com · rajahwwf.com · ringsidenews.com · solowrestling.com · spaziowrestling.it · sportskeeda.com · superluchas.com · wrestlepurists.com · wrestlezone.com · wrestlingheadlines.com · wrestlinginc.com · wrestlingnewsreport.com · zonawrestling.net

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history