[citation needed] On April 14, 2000, Fukuda suffered a fatal head injury during a match with Katsuyori Shibata in the Young Lion Cup Tournament after taking a flying elbow drop.

He was rushed to the hospital but died five days later on April 19 due to a brain hemorrhage; he was 27 years old.

Fukuda had suffered a similar cerebral hemorrhage and undergone brain surgery in October of the prior year and was out of action for roughly four months as a result.

He had also reportedly collapsed in-ring during his first match back, which was roughly two months before his death.

[3] The rest of the 2000 Young Lion’s Cup was dedicated to Fukuda's memory and was honored with a ten-bell salute and a tribute show in September of that year.