Megumi Fujii, Rin Nakai Victorious At SRC; Akano vs Modafferi ScrappedJapanese stars Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii and Rin Nakai both picked up convincing victories tonight at the all-day Sengoku Raiden Championship: “Soul of Fight” event in Tokyo, Japan. Fujii earned a dominant decision win over Emi Fujino, while Nakai submitted journeywoman Mika “Hari” Harigai.

Two other women’s MMA bouts were planned for the card, but only one took place. Veteran Misaki Takimoto narrowly edged Amy “Lil’ Dynamite” Davis in a two-round battle, while a fight between Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano and Roxanne “The Happy Warrior” Modafferi was scrapped due to illness.

 

Fujii (23-1-0) rebounded from her contentious Bellator loss to Zoila Frausto by dominating Fujino (9-5-0) throughout their 15-minute fight. Early on, Fujii landed left hands and later caught a kick from Fujino that resulted in a takedown. Fujino quickly battled back to her feet, however, and Fujii resumed striking to the head and body. She shot in for a takedown and had to fight off a guillotine choke, then moved to mount late in the round. Fujii rained down punches until the bell to take the opening stanza 10-9.

Round two saw Fujino score with quick counterpunches early on as Fujii stuck to left crosses. Fujii took Fujino down and moved from half-guard to side-control before returning to mount and once again blasting Fujino with punches. More punches followed and Fujino was forced to give up her back. Fujii switched to heel strikes, but the fight was stood up and Fujii was warned for heel kicks that strayed close to the groin area. Fujino landed punches on the feet, but Fujii took her back down and struck to the body. 10-9 Fujii.

Fujino, likely sensing that she was down on the scorecards, pushed forward aggressively in the final round with punches, but was unable to land any clean strikes. Fujii took her down and time was called to check a cut over Fujino’s right eye. Action resumed and the fight briefly returned to the feet before Fujii took Fujino down once more. The battle for position continued as Fujino stood and was taken down after a guillotine choke attempt. Fujii punched from the top until referee Kenichi Serizawa bizarrely warned her for inactivity and stood the fight up. Fujino stayed on her feet and landed grazing punches late in the round. 10-9 Fujii.

Winner: Megumi Fujii by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-28, 30-29) after three 5:00 rounds. She improves to 23-1-0.

 

Nakai (10-0-0) kept her unblemished record intact against the overmatched Harigai (6-24-1) with a quick submission victory. Harigai began the fight with leg kicks and lunging punches, but Nakai responded with overhand rights and a takedown. She moved to mount and smothered Harigai as Harigai tried to punch from the bottom. Nakai looked for an armbar on Harigai’s left arm, then switched to a keylock on the right that forced Harigai to submit.

Winner: Rin Nakai by Submission (Keylock) at 2:09 of round one. She improves to 10-0-0.

 

Takimoto (13-11-4) and Davis (1-2-0, 1 NC) engaged in a highly competitive, razor-thin fight over two rounds. Jabs and leg kicks landed for both fighters early on, with Davis predictably holding a striking advantage. Takimoto managed to score with a quick combination and Davis responded with more leg kicks. Takimoto attempted a takedown and was hit with a flurry of punches for her efforts. Davis kept the pressure on, but Takimoto clinched. Soon after, Takimoto landed a head kick that staggered Davis, but the American remained on her feet and survived until the bell.

The second round began with more leg kicks from Davis, and Takimoto attempted another head kick. Davis blocked the strike and Takimoto responded by blocking a combination of punches from Davis. After a clinch, Davis landed punches and avoided another head kick. Takimoto began to find her range with punches and Davis answered in kind. A one-two and a knee landed for Takimoto and Davis soon returned to leg kicks. Takimoto pushed forward with punches and scored a takedown. Davis battled back to her feet and punches were exchanged late in the round.

Winner: Misaki Takimoto by Split Decision (20-19, 19-19 [Must Decision – Takimoto], 20-20 [Must Decision – Davis]) after two 5:00 rounds. She improves to 13-11-4.

 

A planned bantamweight bout between Akano (16-8-0) and Modafferi (15-6-0) was scrapped at the very last minute, as the fighters were walked out to the ring only for the fight to be immediately cancelled. Modafferi contracted a stomach illness on the night before the fight and reportedly spent the evening in hospital, which posed a problem during her pre-fight medical exam. As a result, no fight took place and a disappointed Modafferi and Akano posed briefly for photos in the ring before returning backstage.

 

 

(Photo Credit: GBRing.com)