MMARising.com reports live from the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan tonight for Jewels: “Eleventh Ring.” The promotion’s stacked year-end card featured the final two rounds of the Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament, as well as the finals of all three 2010 Rough Stone Grand Prixs.

Also on the card, Jewels stars Hiroko Yamanaka and Shizuka Sugiyama were both in action when they faced Molly “The Maulinator” Helsel and Esui, respectively, while Saori “Shooting Star” Ishioka battled Yuko “Amiba” Oya in a reserve bout. Live play-by-play for the event is available below.

 

Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament Final

Ayaka Hamasaki vs Seo Hee Ham

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Yoshinori Umeki. The opening round began with an exchange of strikes and Ham landed kicks. She mixed in overhand lefts, but Hamasaki connected with a pair of solid right hooks. Ham was successful with jabs and leg kicks, but Hamasaki continued to find a home for her right hand. More strikes were exchanged and the fighters clinched briefly.

Hamasaki tried for a takedown in the corner and got Ham down to a knee, but Ham scrambled and got back to her feet. The fighters exchanged more punches and kicks, with Ham taking control of the battle. Hamasaki turned the tables again with another flurry and a right hook, however, and the fight remained on the feet until the bell. Good opening round.

Round 2:
The fight stayed on the feet in round two and both fighters swung with knockouts in mind. Ham landed more leg kicks and Hamasaki countered with two right hooks. Ham scored with a combination and an overhand left. A big flurry landed for Ham, but Hamasaki was game and answered with a one-two. Ham kept the pressure on with strikes and scored with another combination, followed by a leg kick and a left cross. Hamasaki again fired right back with her own punches, then clinched and took Ham down against the ropes.

From side-control, Hamasaki kneed Ham’s ribs and tried to set up a Kimura. She switched focus and spun for an armbar, but Ham defended. Hamasaki then looked for a Peruvian Necktie as Ham tried to stand. Ham wound up on her back and Hamasaki moved to North-South. Hamasaki again spun into an armbar and nearly got it, but Ham rolled over against the ropes. Hamasaki extended Ham’s arm just as the final bell sounded to end the fight.

Judges Kenichi Serizawa, Ryogoku Wada and Akira Yamazaki all sided with Hamasaki, giving her the Unanimous Decision.

Winner: Ayaka Hamasaki by Unanimous Decision after two 5:00 rounds. She improves to 4-0-0 and becomes the first Jewels Lightweight Queen Champion.

 

Jewels Special Rules

Hiroko Yamanaka vs Molly “The Maulinator” Helsel

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Ryogoku Wada. After an exchange of stiff jabs, both fighters were rocked by power punches from the other. Leg kicks followed and the fighters clinched in the corner. The referee separated them and Helsel connected with an overhand right. Yamanaka answered with kicks and another clinch followed. Again, the fighters were separated and both landed punches.

Helsel pulled guard after a clinch and tried for an armbar. Yamanaka kneeled down on Helsel’s left arm to prevent her from securing the hold. Yamanaka blasted Helsel with five hard hammerfist strikes, but Helsel switched to a triangle choke. Yamanaka’s arms were free, so she powered out and the fighters stood. Yamanaka landed a combination and Helsel answered with a right hook. The round came to a close.

Round 2:
Power punches were exchanged in the second round and both landed. Yamanaka scored with the crisper strikes and Helsel retreated after a left hook. She clinched and Yamanaka broke free with more lefts. A standing count was called after a flurry of punches from Yamanaka. Yamanaka kept the pressure on anc checked a leg kick from Helsel. A big one-two backed Helsel up and another standing count was called after a left hook.

Helsel fought on and Yamanaka scored with more punches, but Helsel fought back with her own. Helsel landed a body kick as Yamanaka connected with a left hook. Another one-two followed for Yamanaka and the referee stopped the fight. Helsel protested and had a good case, as she was not hurt when the fight was stopped. However, Yamanaka was clearly getting the better of the striking exchanges and had hurt her earlier in the round.

Following the fight, Helsel said, “It really makes me angry that the ref stopped the fight when I was throwing back punches! I wasn’t done yet, but I was warned that in Japan they stop the fight early. Hiroko does hit pretty hard, but I was so close with that triangle. Just a little more!”

Winner: Hiroko Yamanaka by TKO (Punches) at 3:12 of round two. She improves to 11-1-0.

 

Bolormaa “Esui” Erdenebileg vs Shizuka Sugiyama

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Ryogoku Wada. Sugiyama opened the fight with a flying kick, which set off an exchange of big punches. Esui got the better of it and floored Sugiyama with a right hook. She was given a standing count and the fight continued. More hard shots were exchanged and Esui dropped Sugiyama with a one-two. After a second standing count, Sugiyama dove in for a desperation takedown attempt. She locked onto Esui’s right leg and tried for a heel hook and a kneebar as Esui stood and taunted.

Sugiyama stood and managed to trip Esui down to the mat. She stood over her, then dropped back for a heel hook. Sugiyama switched to an achilles lock as Esui kicked her in the ribs. Esui countered with a toe hold and the fighters continued to battle for leg submissions. The fight returned to the feet and Sugiyama shot in for another takedown. She stood and dove in a second time. Sugiyama attempted more heel hooks and assorted leg submissions until the bell. Crazy round.

Round 2:
Round two began with another exchange of punches and Esui immediately got the better of it. Her reach was too much for the smaller Sugiyama and Sugiyama’s corner threw in the towel as their fighter was sent off-balance by a big one-two.

Winner: Esui by TKO (Corner Stoppage) at 0:13 of round two. She improves to 1-1-0.

 

Exhibition Match

Rina Takeda vs Kazutoshi Yokoyama

Round 1:
Actress Rina Takeda, dressed as a schoolgirl, proceeded to “attack” Kazutoshi Yokoyama with nunchuks and flying kicks until Yokoyama fell to his back to conclude this brief intermission exhibition.

Winner: Rina Takeda by “KO” from a variety of choreographed attacks.

 

Jewels Special Rules – Morifuji Retirement Match

Miki Morifuji vs Kinuka Sasaki

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Ryogoku Wada. Punches were exchanged early on and Morifuji dropped Sasaki with a right cross. Sasaki was given a standing count and the fight continued. Morifuji took Sasaki down and punched from the top, but Sasaki kicked her off and stood. Sasaki pushed forward with punches, but Morifuji drilled her with counter hooks. A big one-two floored Sasaki in the corner and she was given another standing count.

The fighters resumed their striking exchange in the centre of the ring and Morifuji landed another hard combination. Sasaki stayed on her feet and scored a takedown. She punched from the top in Morifuji’s guard. The fighters were stood up and Morifuji landed a combination that promoted Sasaki to shoot for a takedown. She got Morifuji down in the corner and the fighters traded punches on the ground until the bell.

Round 2:
Sasaki flurried to begin the second round and quickly dove for a takedown. Morifuji wound up on top in Sasaki’s half-guard. She tried to move to side-control, but Sasaki stood in the corner. A clinch battle followed with both landing knees to the body. The referee separated the fighters and Morifuji scored with a combination. Sasaki shot in for a takedown and Morifuji defended with hammerfists.

Back on the feet, Morifuji landed another flurry and Sasaki attempted a takedown once again. Morifuji sprawled out and punched Sasaki’s ribs until the referee called for a standup. Morifuji stayed one step ahead of Saski with crisp punches, but Sasaki landed a right hook that wobbled Morifuji. She followed with two left hooks and Morifuji scored a takedown. Morifuji punched from the top until the bell.

Judges Akira Yamazaki, Yoshinori Umeki and Kenichi Serizawa all sided with Morifuji, giving her the Unanimous Decision win in her retirement match.

Winner: Miki Morifuji by Unanimous Decision after two 5:00 rounds. She improves to 11-6-0.

 

Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament Reserve Match

Saori “Shooting Star” Ishioka vs Yuko “Amiba” Oya

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Yoshinori Umeki. The fighters traded punches early in the fight and Ishioka landed kicks to the body. Oya answered with leg kicks and a solid punching combination. Ishioka backed her into the corner and landed a right hook. The fighters returned to the centre of the ring and exchanged more punches. Both threw knees to the body and Ishioka tripped Oya. Effortlessly, she spun into an armbar. Oya tried to hold on, but tapped out after a few seconds.

Winner: Saori Ishioka by Submission (Armbar) at 2:14 of round one. She improves to 11-5-0 and will advance to the finals of the Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament in the event of an injury.

 

Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament Semi-Final B

Seo Hee Ham vs Mika “Future Princess” Nagano

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Yoshinori Umeki. Nagano shot in for a takedown right away and Hamm stuffed it. Ham landed punches in the corner and Nagano continued to attempt takedowns. She was unsuccessful until she managed to back up to the ropes. Ham worked back to her feet without danger and the fighters exchanged punches.

Nagano took Ham down again near the ropes and Ham again got back up. Nagano used a judo throw to get Ham down a third time and Ham nearly fell through the ropes. The fighters were repositioned and Nagano worked from the top with weak punches to the body. She could not pass Ham’s guard and set up any submissions before the bell.

Round 2:
Ham landed a right hook and a head kick to open round two, but Nagano partially caught the kick and tripped Ham to the ground. She worked from half-guard and tried to move to mount, but Ham defended. The fighters were stood up and this time Ham took Nagano down. She, too, looked to move to mount and briefly got there, but Nagano scrambled back to half-guard. Nagano tried for a heel hook and Ham punched free. The fighters went for duelling heel hooks and Ham stood up for a unique toe hold.

Nagano maintained her grip on the heel hook from the bottom and Ham punished her with punches to the body. The fighters were stood up and Ham landed left hooks to the head and body. She sprawled out of a takedown attempt from Nagano and the fight returned to the feet. Hamm landed a series of head kicks to varying degrees of damage, which prompted Nagano to dive for a takedown. Ham defended with hammerfists and punches to the body until the bell.

Judges Ryogoku Wada and Kenichi Serizawa scored the fight for Ham, while Akira Yamazaki sided with Nagano. Ham takes the Split Decision win.

Winner: Seo Hee Ham by Split Decision after two 5:00 rounds. She improves to 6-3-0 and advances to the finals of the Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament.

 

Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament Semi-Final A

Ayaka Hamasaki vs Sakura Nomura

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Yoshinori Umeki. Quick punches landed for both fighters early on and Hamasaki scored with a hard kick to the body. She took Nomura down and worked from the top in half-guard. Nomura regained full guard and a stalemate followed. The fighters were stood up and Hamasaki landed a combination. Two right hands stunned Nomura, but she clinched and reversed a takedown.

From the scarf hold position, Nomura tried to set up a submission as Hamasaki attempted to take her back. Nomura gave it up and postured up in Hamasaki’s guard, where she struck to the body. A scramble followed and Hamasaki wound up on top. She punched to the body and the fighters stood. Hamasaki landed a head kick and lead right hooks. Four huge right hands scored for Hamasaki just before the final bell, but Nomura stayed on her feet.

Round 2:
More big punches were exchanged in the second round and it was Nomura who cracked Hamasaki with a stinging right hook. Hamasaki recovered and took Nomura down. Hamasaki took partial back control and tried for a rear-naked choke. The battle for position continued until Nomura scrambled out and worked from the top in Hamasaki’s half-guard. Nomura tried to move to mount and Hamasaki used the opportunity to stand.

Nomura threw Hamasaki to the mat, but was quickly reversed. Hamasaki tried for an arm-triangle choke and then moved into a modified reverse triangle choke. Nomura got out, but appeared to be exhausted. Another scramble ensued and Hamasaki stayed on top. She struck to the body until the final bell. Good fight, with both fighters having their moments.

Judges Ryogoku Wada, Akira Yamazaki and Kenichi Serizawa all scored the fight for Hamasaki, who takes the Unanimous Decision.

Winner: Ayaka Hamasaki by Unanimous Decision after two 5:00 rounds. She improves to 3-0-0 and advances to the finals of the Jewels Lightweight Queen Tournament.

 

2010 Jewels 48kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Final

Kikuyo Ishikawa vs Yukiko Seki

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Kenichi Serizawa. Seki opened the fight with a big left hook, but ate four hard knees to the body for her efforts. She backed Ishikawa up to the ropes, but a stalemate followed and the fighters were separated. Seki ducked her head and swung with bad intentions, landing left and right hooks. Ishikawa responded with straight counterpunches and Seki clinched. Ishikawa threw hammerfists to the sids of Seki’s head. Seki punched over the top as Ishikawa continued to punish her with knees.

Seki tried to answer with knees of her own, but was outlanded four to one by Ishikawa. The referee separated the fighters and Seki ducked her head before unleashing more looping hooks. Ishikawa secured a Thai clinch briefly and landed a pair of knees, but Seki backed her into the corner. Knees landed for both fighters until they were separated again. Seki punched to the head and body, while Ishikawa stuck to her strategy of knees in close. She landed two front kicks and Seki drilled her with a pair of left hooks. Close round, with Seki surprisingly holding a slight edge.

Round 2:
Ishikawa landed two front kicks and a pair of lead right hooks to open the second round, but Seki backed her into a corner and stomped at her right foot. Ishikawa broke free briefly, but Seki clinched again. The fighters were separated and Seki landed a combination. Ishikawa answered with a knee and was put in the corner again. Ishikawa landed four knees in a row to the body and head, but Seki did not release the clinch until the referee intervened again. Another brief clinch followed, but little transpired and Ishikawa scored with a body kick.

Seki backed Ishikawa up to the ropes and Ishikawa countered with knees. Time was called to warn both fighters about punches to the back of the head. The fight resumed and Ishikawa landed two front kicks before being put in the corner yet again. A battle for position followed until referee Serizawa separated the fighters. Ishikawa landed a body kick, a knee and a quick flurry before Seki could clinch again. In the final 30 seconds, both fighters landed punches in close and Ishikawa mixed in two more knees. Very close fight.

Judges Ryogoku Wada and Akira Yamazaki scored the fight in favour of Ishikawa, while Yoshinori Umeki sided with Seki. Ishikawa takes the Split Decision.

Winner: Kikuyo Ishikawa by Split Decision after two 5:00 rounds. She improves to 4-2-0 and becomes the 2010 Jewels 48kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Champion.

 

2010 Jewels 52kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Final

Hiroko Kitamura vs Mai Ichii

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Kenichi Serizawa. Ichii, true to her word, opened the fight with a pair of right hooks, but Kitamura sidestepped and clinched. The fighters exchanged knees and Kitamura scored a takedown. The fight quickly returned to the feet and Kitamura put together a combination of kicks and a right hook. More strikes were exchanged in the corner and Kitamura scored another takedown. Kitamura worked from the top until the fighters were stood up.

Ichii pushed forward and clinched, and Kitamura pulled guard. Ichii punched to the body and stood. Kitamura followed and both landed knees. Ichii tried to pick Kitamura up for a takedown, but could not and Kitamura landed another solid knee. Kitamura tripped Ichii and landed in her guard. The fight was stood up and Ichii landed flashy kicks. Kitamura scored with two knees in close and took Ichii down. She attempted a triangle choke, but could not secure a finish before the bell.

Round 2:
The second round opened with an exchange of leg kicks. A clinch followed and Kitamura landed knees as Ichii threw right hands over the top. Ichii landed a grazing spinning backfist and Kitamura countered with two knees and a takedown. She tried to move to mount, but Ichii swept and wound up on top in half-guard. Kitamura tied Ichii up until the fighters were brought back to their feet. Ichii missed with another spinning backfist, but landed a side kick to the body. She began to find success with her punches and cracked Kitamura with a pair of big right hands.

Kitamura was unfazed, however, and took Ichii down. Ichii worked for an armbar from the bottom and Kitamura punched to the body. Referee Serizawa stood the fighters up and warned Ichii for inactivity. She missed with a spinning backfist and Kitamura used the opportunity to clinch and score a takedown. Kitamura wound up on the bottom and attempted an armbar. Back on the feet, Ichii continued to throw wild strikes and Kitamura took her down again. Kitamura worked for a rear-naked choke and nearly secured an arm-triangle choke at the bell.

All three judges (Ryogoku Wada, Akira Yamazaki, Yoshinori Umeki) awarded the fight to Kitamura, who takes the Unanimous Decision.

Winner: Hiroko Kitamura by Unanimous Decision after two 5:00 rounds. She improves to 6-1-0 and becomes the 2010 Jewels 52kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Champion.

 

2010 Jewels 56kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Final

Mizuki Inoue vs Asako Saioka

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Kenichi Serizawa. Saioka rushed in immediately with hard punches, but Inoue, despite being just 16, displayed extremely impressive head movement. The striking exchanges continued and Inoue cracked Saioka with a three-punch flurry. She followed with knees and another combination. Inoue backed Saioka into a corner and battered her with a huge flurry, but Saioka stayed on her feet.

Having enough of the striking game, Saioka pulled half-guard with a guillotine choke. Inoue moved to side-control and then to mount. She secured an armbar and pulled back. Saioka did not tap, but referee Serizawa called a halt to the bout. Saioka offered no protest.

Winner: Mizuki Inoue by Technical Submission (Armbar) at 2:59 of round one. She improves to 2-0-0 and becomes the 2010 Jewels 56kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Champion.

 

Miyoko Kusaka vs Asami Higa

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Kenichi Serizawa. Kusaka rushed forward with punches right away, but ate a three-punch counter flurry from Higa. Kusaka secured a hip toss takedown and landed in side-control. From the top, she looked for a far-side Kimura, then switched to an armbar attempt. Higa had none of it and defended well from the bottom until the referee stood the fighters up.

Kusaka took Higa back down again and attempted a bulldog choke, but Higa escaped and took her back. Higa nearly secured a rear-naked choke, but Kusaka managed to turn into it and once again took top position. He moved to side-control and this time locked on a far-side keylock. Higa refused to submit and Kusaka switched to an armbar late in the round. Good defence from Higa, but clearly Kusaka’s round.

Round 2:
Kusaka closed the distance again in the second round and Higa landed an uppercut before Kusaka clinched against the ropes. She took Higa down with a judo throw and landed in side-control. Within seconds, she secured a scarf hold armlock and Higa quickly tapped out. Impressive win for Kusaka.

Winner: Miyoko Kusaka by Submission (Scarf Hold Armlock) at 0:43 of round two. She improves to 2-2-0.

 

Emi Murata vs Anna Saito

Round 1:
Referee for this bout is Ryogaku Wada. Murata opened the fight with a big kick to the body and a knee, then threw Saito to the mat with a judo throw. She moved to mount and locked on a top-side triangle choke. When Saito did not tap out, Murata switched to a triangle armbar. Saito held on near the ropes for a short time, but was forced to submit.

Winner: Emi Murata by Submission (Triangle Armbar) at 1:03 of round one. She improves to 2-1-0.

 

Grappling Match

Ricaco Yuasa vs Mayumi Katouno

Round 1:
Yuasa scored a quick takedown, but had to fight off a triangle choke. She postured up in Katouno’s rubber guard, then passed to the side and briefly secured a Brabo Choke. The fighters returned to their feet and Yuasa took Katouno down again, but wound up on the bottom. She tried for an armbar and an ankle lock, but Katouno pulled free. Katouno attempted a guillotine choke and Yuasa easily escaped. Yuasa dropped back for a toe hold and Katouno had to quickly scramble to get out. Yuasa locked on a weak triangle choke and an armbar before the bell.

Winner: Ricaco Yuasa by Unanimous Decision after one 4:00 round.

 

Grappling Match

Emi Tomimatsu vs Akemi Ogawa

Round 1:
Tomimatsu took Ogawa down right away and secured back control. She worked for rear-naked and arm-triangle chokes as Ogawa rolled to her side. Tomimatsu wound up on top and continued to work for submissions, but Ogawa scrambled out and nearly took top position. Tomimatsu retained back control and tried for another rear-naked choke. Ogawa escaped and moved to the top in side-control. The round came to an end.

Winner: Emi Tomimatsu by Unanimous Decision after one 4:00 round.

 

Capped off by an impressive performance from new Jewels Lightweight Queen Champion Ayaka Hamasaki, Jewels: “Eleventh Ring” created new stars and established promotional veterans as dominant competitors. At just 16 years of age, Mizuki Inoue displayed technical skill that far surpassed that of many fighters twice her age, while former Mongolian pro wrestler Esui used her size and strength advantage to overwhelm a game but outmatched Shizuka Sugiyama.