In spite of a pair of last-minute lineup changes, the 2015 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup took place tonight at Ōta-City General Gymnasium in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan. The event was headlined by a Shoot Boxing Women’s Flyweight Championship bout between Rena Kubota and Kane Chopirom.

Former women’s flyweight titleholder Ai Takahashi also received a new opponent for her non-tournament bout on the card tonight. She faced off against Hongthong Liangprasert. Tonight’s card featured all three rounds in the prestigious 2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup tournament.

 

51kg Shoot Boxing Women’s Flyweight Championship – 5×3

Rena Kubota vs Kane Chopirom

Round 1:
Kubota clinches and lands knees early on. Chopirom throws a body kick, but Kubota catches it and knocks her off-balance. She clinches again and lands more knees, then finishes the round with left and right hooks.

Round 2:
Kubota controls round two early on with body kicks and knees. She tries unsuccessfully for a standing guillotine choke, but manages to secure a suplex for two Shoot Points. Shortly thereafter, Kubota locks on a standing guillotine for a Catch Point. In the final seconds, Kubota lands a series of hooks to the body and head. Total domination.

Round 3:
The fighters exchange kicks in round three and Kubota flurries to the body. She follows with knees in the clinch and Chopirom is given a standing eight count. Action resumes and Kubota lands a barrage of left and right hooks to the body until the referee has seen enough and stops the fight.

Winner: Rena Kubota by TKO (Punches To The Body) at 1:58 of round three. She improves her combined shoot boxing and kickboxing record to 31-5-1 and becomes the new Shoot Boxing Women’s Flyweight Champion.

 

2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Final – 3×2

Mio Tsumura vs Momi Furuta

Round 1:
Furuta lands body kicks early on and mixes things up by darting in and out with strikes. Tsumura gives chase and lands a nice one-two followed by a right cross. Furuta connects with a lunging left-right combo. The fighters trade punches in the final 15 seconds. Furuta lands left hooks and Tsumura answers right back with stiff jabs.

Round 2:
Furuta opens round two with a right hook to the body and a big left hook to the jaw. Tsumura replies with jab-hook combinations. Furuta presses forward past Tsumura’s jabs and throws a left-right combo that misses.

Round 3:
Furuta continues to dart in and out in round three, but Tsumura finds success with jabs. Furuta tags her with a pair of left hooks and Tsumura sticks to her jab. Furuta swings wildly with her left hand, but she is unable to land anything.

Judge Tsuyama has it even at 30-30, while judges Kitajiri and Ogawa both have it 29-29. We go to an extension round.

Round 4 (Extension Round):
Tsumura knocks Furuta off-balance with a front kick in round four and she follows with a solid combination. Furuta fires back with a flurry of her own, but comes up short. Tsumura defends against a throw attempt and lands more jabs. Furuta continues to come up short with her punches and time expires soon after.

Judges Tsuyama, Kitajiri and Ogawa all have it 10-9 for the winner and new Girls S-Cup Champion, Tsumura.

Winner: Mio Tsumura by Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9) after one 2:00 extension round and four rounds overall. She improves her shoot boxing record to 19-2-0 and becomes the 2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Champion.

 

55kg Non-Tournament Bout – 3×3

Ai Takahashi vs Hongthong Liangprasert

Round 1:
Liangprasert opens the action with a body kick, but Takahashi catches it and throws her. The process repeats itself again, but Liangprasert continues to throw more body kicks as the round progresses and Takahashi answers back with crisp one-two combinations.

Round 2:
The second round begins with more body kicks from Liangprasert, but Takahashi clinches and scores with knees. She follows with a combination and a short uppercut in close. Liangprasert grabs the rope and is given a Yellow Card. Takahashi presses forward with combinations and dominates the late striking exchanges.

Round 3:
Takahashi backs Liangprasert into a corner with punching flurries and follows with clinch knees. Liangprasert circles away, but Takahashi pins her in the corner again and lands left jabs and straight rights. She continues to batter Liangprasert with punches, knees and leg kicks until the final bell rings.

Judges Tsuyama, Ogawa and Taira all have it 30-28 for the winner, Takahashi.

Winner: Ai Takahashi by Unanimous Decision (30-28, 30-28, 30-28) after three 3:00 rounds. She improves her combined shoot boxing and kickboxing record to 24-5-0.

 

54kg Non-Tournament Bout – 3×2

Yurika Jimbo vs Miyuu Yamashita

Round 1:
Jimbo hurts Yamashita with early left-right combinations and Yamashita clinches in search of a throw. Jimbo defends against each of Yamashita’s throw attempts and the fighters are eventually separated. Yamashita clinches immediately, but she cannot secure a throw.

Round 2:
More clinching and failed takedowns from Yamashita in the second round. Jimbo breaks free and lands combinations. Yamashita attempts a standing guillotine choke and fails. She is unable to throw Jimbo to the mat before the bell.

Round 3:
Jimbo blocks head kicks from Yamashita early in the final round and she counters nicely with left-right combos. Yamashita keeps her distance and throws front kicks, but Jimbo chases after her and lands another solid combination.

Judges Kitajiri, Ogawa and Tsuyama all have it 30-29 for the winner, Jimbo.

Winner: Yurika Jimbo by Unanimous Decision (30-29, 30-29, 30-29) after three 2:00 rounds.

 

2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Semi-Final B – 3×2

Momi Furuta vs Miho Matsuda

Round 1:
Matsuda throws front kicks while backing up early in the opening round and Furuta responds with kicks to the lead leg and body. Matsuda continues to throw front kicks and she steps in with straight right hands. Furuta presses the action with left and right hooks that land. Matsuda tries to counter with jabs before the bell.

Round 2:
It is more of the same in the second round and Matsuda once again uses her jab to try to counter Furuta’s offence, but Furuta connects with left-right combinations and follows with body kicks. Matsuda steps in with a right cross, but Furuta tags her repeatedly with left and right hooks.

Round 3:
Furuta is the aggressor in round three and she backs Matsuda up with punches. Combinations from Furuta force Matsuda to try to counter with jabs and front kicks, but they have little effect. Furuta lands numerous punches and she begins to overwhelm Matsuda with strikes as the one-sided round comes to a close.

Judges Tsuyama, Ogawa and Oota all have it 30-28 for the winner, Furuta.

Winner: Momi Furuta by Unanimous Decision (30-28, 30-28, 30-28) after three 2:00 rounds. She improves her combined shoot boxing and kickboxing record to 24-12-6 and advances to the 48kg Girls S-Cup Japan final.

 

2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Semi-Final A – 3×2

Mio Tsumura vs “V.V” Mei Yamaguchi

Round 1:
Yamaguchi circles on the outside early on and Tsumura lands leg kicks. She follows with a body kick and Yamaguchi is forced to clinch in search of a throw. Tsumura defends well and pushes her away. The round ends with Tsumura landing several leg kicks.

Round 2:
Yamaguchi again keeps her distance in the early stages of round two, then suddenly rushes forward and attempts a throw. Tsumura stays on her feet and the fighters separate. Yamaguchi misses with a spinning backfist and Tsumura again finishes the round strong with leg kicks.

Round 3:
After a brief break following a Tsumura low blow, action resumes and Tsumura lands a series of leg kicks. Yamaguchi clinches and attempts a throw, but she is unsuccessful. She misses with a backfist and chases Tsumura around the ring. Tsumura uses front kicks to keep Yamaguchi at bay, but Yamaguchi is relentless with her forward pressure and works for a throw until the bell.

Judge Tsuyama scores the fight 30-29 for Yamaguchi. Judge Ogawa sees it 30-29 for Tsumura. Judge Oomura has it even at 30-30 and we head to an extension round.

Round 4 (Extension Round):
Tsumura opens round four with left jabs and right straights. Yamaguchi answers with a Harai goshi throw, but it is not good enough to earn a Shoot Point. Tsumura continues to score with left jabs and straight right hands that prompt Yamaguchi to tackle her. No points are awarded and Yamaguchi misses with a backfist. Tsumura lands leg kicks and Yamaguchi tries unsuccessfully for a late throw.

Judges Tsuyama, Oomura and Wada all score the final round for the winner, Tsumura.

Winner: Mio Tsumura by Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9) after one 2:00 extension round and four rounds overall. She improves her shoot boxing record to 18-2-0 and advances to the 48kg Girls S-Cup Japan final.

 

48kg Non-Tournament Bout – 3×3

Tomomi Souda vs Maki Goto

Round 1:
Goto lands left and right hooks early on and Souda answers with combinations of her own. Goto jabs and tries to set up straight right hands, but Souda avoids most of them before the bell rings.

Round 2:
More jab-cross combos land for Goto in round two and Souda counters with a Seoi nage attempt, but she can’t get it. She moves forward in order to counter Goto’s punches and gets a successful Seoi nage to earn a Shoot Point. Goto keeps her distance in the final seconds by throwing long punches.

Round 3:
Goto jabs and mixes in right crosses in the final round. Souda responds with a Harai goshi, but there is not enough arc to earn a Shoot Point. The fighters stand and Souda chases after Goto with punches, but she cannot land anything cleanly.

Judge Tsuyama has it 30-27 for Goto, while judges Wada and Motogi both have it even at 29-29. We go to an extension round.

Round 4 (Extension Round):

Souda waits for Goto’s punching combinations to end and counters with a nice one-two. She walks Goto down with more punches and Goto tries to create distance with her jab. Souda is undeterred and clinches. She secures a Harai goshi for a crucial Shoot Point late in the round.

Judges Tsuyama, Wada and Motogi all score the final round 10-9 for the winner, Souda.

Winner: Tomomi Souda by Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9) after one 3:00 extension round and four rounds overall.

 

2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Quarterfinal #4 – 3×2

Miho Matsuda vs Akari “Union” Nakamura

Round 1:
The fight begins with an exchange of front kicks. Nakamura throws a left-right combo and Matsuda steps in with a straight right that lands. She follows with another one and the fighters trade front kicks until the bell.

Round 2:
Matsuda lands left body kicks in round two, but Nakamura catches one and dumps her to the mat. Back on the feet, Nakamura remains effective with left-right combos followed by a head kick that lands. Matsuda continues to throw step-in right hands in the final seconds.

Round 3:
Matsuda darts in and out with straight rights early in the final round and Nakamura chases her. She fires off a series of hooks and Matsuda loses her balance. Nakamura chases with more hooks and the round comes to a close.

Judge Wada has it even at 29-29, while judges Tsuyama and Oomura both have it 30-30. We head to an extension round.

Round 4 (Extension Round):
Nakamura moves forward with left-right combos and another body kick. Matsuda uses front kicks to stop Nakamura’s forward pressure, but Nakamura backs her up with more hooks. Matsuda jabs and throws more front kicks to try to keep Nakamura at bay, but she remains on the defensive.

Judges Wada, Tsuyama and Oomura curiously score the final round 10-9 for the upset winner, Matsuda.

Winner: Miho Matsuda by Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9) after one 2:00 extension round and four rounds overall. She improves her combined shoot boxing and kickboxing record to 11-11-3 and advances to the 48kg Girls S-Cup Japan semi-final round.

 

2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Quarterfinal #3 – 3×2

Momi Furuta vs Mari

Round 1:
Furuta begins by landing right jabs and straight left hands early on. The fighters clinch and both try for throws. Neither one is successful, but Furuta lands a left body kick. Mari tries to secure a Kouchi gari throw, but Furuta counters with a suplex attempt.

Round 2:
Mari lands body kicks in round two and Furuta replies with left and right hooks. Mari tries to clinch when in close, but Furuta pushes her away and connects with more left and right hooks. She finishes the round with a solid body kick.

Round 3:
Furuta presses forward with more hooks in the final round and Mari looks to counter by clinching. She throws knees in close, but Furuta breaks free and continues to punish her with left-right combos and hard body kicks. Mari clinches again in hopes of securing a throw, but she can’t get it and the round ends.

Judge Ooto has it 30-27. Judge Tsuyama sees it 30-28 and judge Wada has it 30-29. All score the fight for the winner, Furuta.

Winner: Momi Furuta by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-28, 30-29) after three 2:00 rounds. She improves her combined shoot boxing and kickboxing record to 23-12-6 and advances to the 48kg Girls S-Cup Japan semi-final round.

 

2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Quarterfinal #2 – 3×2

“V.V” Mei Yamaguchi vs Michi Nakamura

Round 1:
Nakamura opens the action with a head kick and a front kick while Yamaguchi keeps her distance. Yamaguchi then moves forward and secures a suplex to earn two Shoot Points. She clinches after the restart and tries for a throw, but can’t get it.

Round 2:
Nakamura tries to brawl in round two, but Yamaguchi counters by clinching. She attempts another throw, but can’t get it. Yamaguchi dirty boxes in close while Nakamura responds with knees in the clinch. Yamaguchi tries to throw Nakamura to the ground, but Nakamura counters with a standing guillotine choke attempt.

Round 3:
Nakamura moves forward with right jabs and straight left hands in the final round. Yamaguchi clinches in search of a throw, but Nakamura defends well and pushes her away. Both women land one-twos and Nakamura follows with left jab, right straight combos. Yamaguchi answers with a right hook and a spinning back kick before the end of the fight.

Judge Tsuyama has it 30-27, while judges Taira and Ogawa both have it 30-28. All score the fight for the winner, Yamaguchi.

Winner: Mei Yamaguchi by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-28, 30-28) after three 2:00 rounds. She improves her shoot boxing record to 9-6-0 and advances to the 48kg Girls S-Cup Japan semi-final round.

 

2015 48kg Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup Quarterfinal #1 – 3×2

Mio Tsumura vs Emi Matsushita

Round 1:
Tsumura takes centre ring and lands front kicks and leg kicks early on. Matsushita throws left jabs and right straights. Tsumura scores a Seoi nage throw to earn a Shoot Point. Back on the feet, both women throw punching combinations until the round ends.

Round 2:
Tsumura throws left jab, right straight combos in the second round and Matsushita attempts a Harai goshi, but Tsumura counters with a leg trip. Both fighters throw right jabs and straight left hands, and the round ends with an exchange of body kicks.

Round 3:
Matsushita presses forward with several one-two combinations of left jabs right straights in the final round. One right hand lands cleanly. Tsumura clinches and scores with some nice clinch knees. Matsushita breaks free and Tsumura lands body kicks. She clinches again and finishes the round with elbows to the face.

Judge Ogawa has it 30-27, while judges Tsuyama and Taira both have it 30-28. All score the fight for the winner, Tsumura.

Winner: Mio Tsumura by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-28, 30-28) after three 2:00 rounds. She improves her shoot boxing record to 17-2-0 and advances to the 48kg Girls S-Cup Japan semi-final round.