Despite a three-week campaign to secure an opponent, Japanese superstar Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii is unlikely to take part in the upcoming Jewels: “Eleventh Ring” event on December 17th. Fujii may still compete at Sengoku Raiden Championship: “Soul of Fight,” but no decision has been made.
With many 115-pound female fighters currently battling illness and injuries, or coming off of recent fights, an opponent for the pound-for-pound standout could not be lined up in time. In addition, a planned Jewels bout between Hiroko Yamanaka and Randi Miller is also reportedly in jeopardy.
Fujii (22-1-0) last competed in the final round of the inaugural Bellator 115-pound women’s tournament, losing a controversial Split Decision to Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto, who had advanced to the finals with an equally contentious win over Jessica “Jag” Aguilar. The loss, Fujii’s first in 23 fights, came after she opted to engage in a striking battle with her opponent throughout the five-round fight. Fujii’s superior boxing was not enough, however, as two judges awarded the competitive fight to Frausto. The decision was not a popular one among fans and media alike.
After a week of reflection, Fujii did her best to put the defeat behind her and a plan was put in place to feature her prominently on the Jewels: “Eleventh Ring” card. However, the timing did not work out and most potential opponents were unavailable, leaving Fujii without a fight for the event. Sengoku Raiden Championship has expressed interest in having Fujii compete on their year-end, all day “Soul of Fight” card on December 30th, but no opponent has been determined and Fujii’s participation is not confirmed. An announcement may follow in the coming days.
In a second update to the “Eleventh Ring” card, a rescheduled bout between promotional postergirl Hiroko Yamanaka and U.S. Olympic Bronze Medallist Randi Miller is in jeopardy and may no longer take place. Miller has reportedly withdrawn from the fight, which is believed to have been under a verbal agreement only, and it is not known if she will still compete or whether a replacement will be brought in. Negotiations are ongoing and Yamanaka is expected to remain on the card.
Jewels: “Eleventh Ring” takes place on December 17th at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The event features the finals of the 2010 48kg, 52kg and 56kg Rough Stone Grand Prixs and will also crown the first Jewels Lightweight (115-Pound) Queen Champion.
MMARising.com will be live on-site in Tokyo for the event.
Jewels: “Eleventh Ring” Fight Card (to date; subject to change):
– Seo Hee Ham vs Mika “Future Princess” Nagano (Jewels Lightweight Queen Semi-Final)
– Ayaka Hamasaki vs Sakura Nomura (Jewels Lightweight Queen Semi-Final)
– Winner of Ham/Nagano vs Winner of Hamasaki/Nomura (Jewels Lightweight Queen Final)
– Kikuyo Ishikawa vs Yukiko Seki (48kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Final)
– Hiroko Kitamura vs Mai Ichii (52kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Final)
– Mizuki Inoue vs Asako Saioka (56kg Rough Stone Grand Prix Final)
– Miki Morifuji vs Kinuka Sasaki (Morifuji’s Retirement Match [57kg])
– Shizuka Sugiyama vs Esui (59kg Bout)
– Hiroko Yamanaka vs Randi Miller (68kg Bout) [*]
– Miyoko Kusaka vs Asami Higa (50kg Bout)
– Emi Murata vs Anna Saito (55kg Bout)
*Miller now unlikely to compete on the card.