Former Smackgirl and Valkyrie champion Yuka “Vale Tudo Queen” Tsuji will compete under the DEEP banner for the first time in more than nine years at DEEP: “Osaka Impact 2012” on September 29th in Osaka, Japan. The veteran star faces South Korean taekwondo champion Hyo Kyung Song.

Tsuji has fought sparingly in recent years due to injuries and a relative lack of available opponents. Her 14-fight winning streak came to an end in early 2010 and she is currently looking to rebound from a submission setback in May. Song recently debuted for Jewels in a July shoot boxing match.

Tsuji (23-3-0) will bring a massive experience edge into the bout with Song (0-0-0), who makes her pro MMA debut after dropping a Unanimous Decision to Seira Aragaki under shoot boxing rules at Jewels: “20th Ring.” Despite nearing the end of her career, Tsuji remains one of the most talented submission grapplers in the 115-pound women’s division and she will no doubt look to exert her ground dominance over her South Korean foe.

An impressive 17 of Tsuji’s wins have come inside the distance, but she is coming off of a one-sided submission loss to unbeaten Jewels Lightweight Queen Champion Ayaka Hamasaki in late May. Song is a talented striker with a lengthy background in taekwondo competition and she will hold an advantage if she can use her quickness to keep the fight with the aging Tsuji on the feet.

DEEP: “Osaka Impact 2012” is set to take place on September 29th at Abeno-Kumin Center Hall in Osaka, Japan.

Go Yamamoto contributed to this report.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)