Deep Women’s Flyweight Champion “Princess” Satoko Shinashi looks for her fourth straight win when she next competes at Deep: “71 Impact” on February 28th in Tokyo, Japan. The submission specialist is set to battle Emi Yamamoto in a featured 45kg bout on the event’s main card.

Deep officials announced the matchup on Wednesday. Shinashi returned to MMA in October following a six-year retirement and she has since earned back-to-back stoppage wins against overmatched opponents. She will be a significant favourite against Yamamoto, who dropped her August pro debut.

Shinashi (31-2-2) became the first and only Deep Women’s Flyweight Champion at 99 pounds by winning a one-night tournament in February 2008. However, after splitting her next two fights, the judoka announced her retirement in order to focus on family life. She returned to action in October and easily dispatched of Korean teen Ye Jin Jung. On New Year’s Eve, Shinashi mauled idol-turned-fighter Rika Hamada en route to a first-round technical submission win.

Yamamoto (0-1-0), like Shinashi’s other recent opponents, gives up a massive amount of experience when she makes her Deep debut next month. In August, Yamamoto made her pro debut against highly-touted prospect Ga Yeon “Deadly Beauty” Song at Road FC 17. However, the South Korean dominated the fight on the mat and finished Yamamoto with first-round ground and pound. Yamamoto has an even tougher test ahead of her when she challenges Shinashi in five weeks.

Deep: “71 Impact” takes place on February 28th at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

(Photo Credit: Deep)