Jewels: "Second Ring" Results
by Robert Sargent
Though perhaps lacking in higher profile competitors, the second event from all-female Japanese promotion Jewels was a successful one, and culminated with Saori Ishioka knocking out MMA debutant Hanako Kobayashi in the night's final bout.
Also on the card, former dominatrix Yuko "Hiroko" Yamanaka scored her second victory over Michiko Takeda, as she picked up a second-round TKO win in a rematch from 2007.
Saori Ishioka vs Hanako Kobayashi
Kobayashi began the fight with a series of hard kicks to the legs of Ishioka, which made an immediate impact. Ishioka fired back with a trio of big punches to the face of Kobayashi, and this led to an all-out stiking war as both women swung wildly. Both fighters scored with leg kicks and punches, but Ishioka's straight punches did the most damage. This prompted the referee to stop the fight to give Kobayashi a standing count; a practice used in Jewels and other Japanese promotions, similar to boxing's standing eight count. The fight resumed, and Kobayashi landed more leg kicks and a right cross, but Ishioka drilled her with more punches that resulted in a second standing count. After more punishment from Ishioka, the referee called a stop to the fight, giving Ishioka an impressive victory.Winner: Saori Ishioka by TKO (Punches) at 2:20 of round one. She improves to 7-3-0.
Yuko "Hiroko" Yamanaka vs Michiko Takeda
Round one was a striking clinic from Yamanaka, who used her reach advantage to land kicks at will. She punished Takeda with leg kicks and strikes to the body, while Takeda could do nothing but duck and throw wild haymakers. Takeda managed to land a handful of punches, but was on the receiving end of far more from the hands of Yamanaka. In the later stages of the round, Takeda attempted a heel hook on the ground, but Yamanaka easily escaped and landed more strikes in the corner. Yamanaka finished the round strong with knees to the body in a clinch.The second round was more of the same, and Yamanaka continued to batter her overmatched opponent with a variety of strikes. Takeda could do little but evade as many punches as possible, but a combination from Yamanaka resulted in a standing count. Shortly thereafter, Yamanaka dropped Takeda with a one-two, which ended the fight in dramatic fashion.
Winner: Yuko Yamanaka by TKO (Punches) at 3:25 of round two. She improves to 6-1-0.
Yasuko Tamada vs Misaki Takimoto
This battle of veterans saw Takimoto dominate the early striking battles, but Tamada scored a number of takedowns that ultimately proved to be the difference makers. Takimoto landed punches and kicks during a couple of exchanges in round one, but Tamada closed the distance and wisely took the fight to the mat. On the ground, Tamada controlled position and prevented Takimoto from doing anything. When the fight returned to the feet, Tamada survived more jabs and hard crosses from Takimoto and scored another takedown. Though it wasn't pretty, Tamada fought a smart round.Tamada did better on the feet in round two, however, and made a fight of it by landing punches to the body and setting up combinations to the face. With takedowns and improved standup, Tamada dictated much of round two. Takimoto fought hard for a knockout, but Tamada's intelligent game plan allowed her to pull out the victory on all three scorecards.
After beginning her career 1-4-2, Tamada is now undefeated in her last nine fights.
Winner: Yasuko Tamada by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. She improves to 9-4-3.
Mayumi "Benkei" Aoki vs Chihiro Oikawa
Oikawa, thrown to the wolves in her professional debut against Aoki, used a surprisingly effective jab in the early stages of round one that kept Aoki guessing. That didn't last for long, however, as Aoki began to string together combinations of hooks and crosses that left Oikawa visibly frustrated. Aoki dominated the striking in the second half of round one, and dropped Oikawa with a right hook at one point. Clearly in control, Aoki finished round one strong.Round two was more of the same, as Aoki landed kicks to the body and knees from a Thai clinch. This twice forced the referee to give Oikawa standing counts, but Oikawa held on. Oikawa then pulled guard and looked for an armbar, but Aoki easily escaped and locked on her own armbar soon after. This forced Oikawa to submit, but she put on a decent showing in her MMA debut.
Winner: Mayumi Aoki by Submission (Armbar) at 2:30 of round two. She improves to 3-6-0.
Masako Yoshida vs Shinsaki Ozawa
Despite having a ridiculous conclusion, this fight was entertaining for as long as it lasted, as Ozawa pushed the pace right from the opening bell. She punished Yoshida with big, looping punches that did significant damage. Yoshida fired right back with huge punches of her own, then began to throw leg kicks in combinations. Yoshida scored a takedown, which Ozawa immediately reversed. However, before the fight could continue, the referee called a halt to check on Ozawa's nose, which was running. Though no damage had been done to the nose and there was no blood to be seen, the liquid could not be stopped and the referee bizarrely stopped the fight. Apparently, a runny nose is now cause for TKO stoppages.Winner: Masako Yoshida by TKO (Doctor Stoppage - Runny Nose) at 0:54 of round one. She improves to 15-14-5.
Shizuka Sugiyama vs Shiho
This lopsided beating began with Sugiyama running out of her corner with a flying knee. She proceeded to batter Shiho with punches and a variety of kicks to the legs and body. Shiho had absolutely no answer for the strikes, but did manage a couple of sweeps to avoid damage. However, Sugiyama would not be deterred, and she blasted Shiho with more combinations. Three times, the referee called standing counts for Shiho, who was clearly way out of her league. After a fourth standing count due to more strikes, the referee finally stopped the fight.Winner: Shizuka Sugiyama by TKO (Punches) at 2:55 of round one. She improves to 2-0-0.
Rina Tomita vs Harumi
While obviously lacking in striking skills, Tomita surprisingly managed to land some effective punches and kicks to the arms and body of Harumi in the first round. Harumi responded with strikes of her own, then took Tomita to the mat, but it was clear that Tomita held a significant advantage on the ground. Harumi worked from Tomita's guard, but Tomita looked for triangles and armbars throughout the round and controlled Harumi well.Round two began with more of the same, but Tomita managed to counter a takedown with an armbar that forced Harumi to quickly submit. The loss drops Harumi's record to an astounding 0-10.
Winner: Rina Tomita by Submission (Armbar) at 0:22 of round two. She improves to 2-0-0.
A solid second effort from the new Jewels promotion all but ensures that more events will follow in 2009, but the addition of some of the top Japanese fighters - especially those who frequented the now-defunct SmackGIRL promotion - would do wonders for the future of Jewels.
