Bellator Fighting Championships officially announced tonight that the world’s top-ranked female fighter, Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii, will compete at Bellator 22 on June 10th. The announcement was made during the telecast of Bellator 17. No opponent has been named as of yet.

Fujii was initially scheduled to compete for Bellator during the promotion’s first season last year, but remained in Japan and fought for Jewels and Shooto. Her participation at Bellator 22 could serve as the first step towards her inclusion in the planned Bellator women’s tournament this year.

Fujii (19-0-0) has dominated the lighter weight classes throughout her career. She has competed primarily in her native Japan, but has travelled to Canada and the United States in years passed and has yet to taste defeat in 19 career bouts. With 16 wins coming by submission, including notable victories over Lisa Ward, Mika Nagano, Seo Hee Ham and Saori Ishioka, Fujii has been unstoppable throughout her near-six year career. An opponent has not been announced for her Bellator debut, but there are a number of rumoured candidates.

MMARising.com has independently confirmed with multiple sources that Bellator plans to hold a 115-pound women’s tournament later this year. As first reported on April 4th, rumoured tournament participants include Fujii, Rosi Sexton and Elena “Babydoll” Reid. MMARising.com has since confirmed the planned participation of additional fighters, but no official announcement has been made regarding the tournament structure, roster or start date.

Following tonight’s event, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney told BloodyElbow.com’s Chris Nelson that the company plans to give Fujii and Sexton as much camera time as possible to familiarise both fighters with the viewing audience. This would lead in to a full-blown 115-pound women’s tournament during the promotion’s third season in the second half of 2010.

Update: Rebney has since confirmed plans for the 115-pound women’s tournament and has targeted Bellator 25 on August 12th as the start date for the eight-woman competition.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)