An injury in training has forced top Japanese star Shizuka Sugiyama out of her planned contender’s rematch against unbeaten South Korean prospect Ji Yeon Kim at Deep Jewels 8 on May 31st in Tokyo. Deep Jewels officials announced the news today. Kim has also been removed from the card.
Sugiyama and Kim initially faced off in Kim’s November 2013 pro MMA debut under the Deep banner. The bout ended in a Majority Draw and both fighters now sport two-fight winning streaks. Kim will move on to challenge Deep Jewels Middleweight Champion Takayo Hashi in an August rematch.
Next month’s planned rematch between Sugiyama (13-4-1) and Kim (2-0-2) had been designed to establish the next title challenger for Hashi’s 135-pound title. Sugiyama suffered a third-round TKO loss to Hashi in the inaugural Deep Jewels Middleweight Championship bout this past May, while Kim fought to a Unanimous Draw with Hashi at Road FC: “Korea 2” two months prior. Sugiyama’s untimely injury has propelled Kim into a championship rematch with Hashi at Deep Jewels 9 in August, but Kim will first face off against Hatice “The Turkish Delight” Ozyurt at Road FC 23 on May 2nd.
A new Deep Jewels Featherweight Champion will be crowned at Deep Jewels 8 when the promotion’s inaugural 106-pound title tournament concludes. In one semi-final bout, Satomi “Sarami” Takano (5-5-0) faces off against Tomo Maesawa (5-4-0). In the other, former Valkyrie champion “V.V” Mei Yamaguchi (13-8-1) takes on Mina Kurobe (5-0-0). The semi-final winners will then square off later in the same night to determine a new champion.
In addition, the card also features a bout between former Deep Jewels Interim Lightweight Champion Emi Tomimatsu (8-10-0) and Ayaka Miura (1-1-0), as well as a battle between the returning Misaki Takimoto (15-13-4) and grappling specialist Yuko “Amiba” Oya (8-4-0). Former Jewels champion Ayaka Hamasaki faces current Deep Jewels champion Mizuki Inoue in a rematch under grappling rules.
Deep Jewels 8 takes place on May 31st at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo, Japan.
(Photo Credit: Deep Jewels)