Deep Jewels showcased its biggest main event to date tonight at New Pier Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Deep Jewels 44 was headlined by an atomweight championship bout between champ Si Yoon “Sankaru” Park and challenger Seika Izawa, who looked to capture her third simultaneous MMA title.

In the 49kg super atomweight co-main event, veteran Yuko Kiryu took on popular prospect Kate “Lotus” Oyama. Elsewhere on the card tonight, Mizuki Furuse faced off against Saki Kitamura in another super atomweight showdown. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for Deep Jewels 44.

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Returning from an 11-month hiatus, multi-time Shoot Boxing champion Rena Kubota earned a victory in her 60th professional combat sports fight tonight at Rizin Fighting Federation: “Landmark Vol. 9” in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan. Kubota defeated former Road FC champ Yu Ri Shim at super atomweight.

Despite returning from a 30-month layoff herself, Shim showed no signs of ring rust and she put Kubota on the defensive with long jabs and overhand rights early in tonight’s matchup. Kubota came on strong as the fight progressed, however, and earned a well-deserved Unanimous Decision win.

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Stepping in for injured teammate Ayaka Hamasaki, former Deep Jewels champion Saori Oshima kept her perfect Rizin FF record intact with a submission win tonight at Rizin Fighting Federation: “Landmark Vol. 8” in Saga, Japan. Oshima finished Claire Lopez with a second-round armbar.

Oshima, who took the fight on just over one week’s notice, had to work hard for her victory tonight but ultimately rebounded in a big way after losing her Deep Jewels atomweight title in September. The skilled grappler politely asked for a Rizin FF women’s super atomweight title shot following her win.

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A total of four women’s bouts including two championship fights are now official for Pancrase 341, which takes place on March 31st in Tokyo, Japan. Flyweight Queen of Pancrase Takayo Hashi puts her title on the line against undefeated 20-year-old challenger Honoka Shigeta, who is 3-0 in Pancrase.

Also set for Pancrase 341 is the inaugural Atomweight Queen of Pancrase tournament final between Satomi “Sarami” Takano and Sayako Fujita. In non-title flyweight bouts, Emiko “Fujin” Raika rematches Shizuka Sugiyama in Sugiyama’s Pancrase debut, and Nori takes on Fumika Watanabe.

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Fresh off of a successful Black Combat atomweight title defence this past weekend, Si Yoon “Sankaru” Park will put her Deep Jewels Atomweight Championship on the line on March 24th at Deep Jewels 44 in Tokyo, Japan. Park defends against Seika Izawa in the night’s featured main event.

The Park-Izawa title tilt was one of ten bouts announced for the card today. Park won the belt from Saori Oshima in a champion versus champion fight at Deep: “115 Impact” in September. The undefeated Izawa, meanwhile, will look to add a third divisional championship title to her growing collection.

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Former Rizin FF Women’s Super Atomweight Champion Ayaka Hamasaki will step back into action on February 24th at Rizin Fighting Federation: “Landmark Vol. 8” in Saga, Japan. Hamasaki faces recent Rizin FF title challenger Claire Lopez in a 49kg bout that was announced earlier today.

Hamasaki has struggled since the end of 2021, losing twice to current Rizin FF champion Seika Izawa and going 1-1 during the remainder of 2022, but she now returns after taking an extended break from competition. Lopez also looks to get back on track after losing to Izawa in a July title bout.

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Returning from a knee injury that kept her out of action since April, Rena Kubota will next compete on March 23rd at Rizin Fighting Federation 46 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan. Kubota will face off against former Road FC Women’s Atomweight Champion Yu Ri Shim in a 49kg super atomweight matchup.

The bout was officially announced on New Year’s Eve during Rizin FF 45. Kubota is coming off of a third-round kneebar submission loss to Claire Lopez at Rizin FF: “Landmark Vol. 5” and looks to rebound against Shim, who returns to action following a layoff dating back to September 2021.

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