New Mexico’s Amber “The Bully” Brown earned a huge victory in her return to Japan tonight at Pancrase 250: “2013 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals” in Tokyo. Brown submitted top-ranked atomweight contender Kikuyo Ishikawa with an armbar late in the third round of their main card matchup.
Ishikawa once again showcased her much-improved striking and she put together some nice combinations in round one. Brown was game and she damaged Ishikawa’s eye with knees. In the final round, Brown locked on an armbar from the bottom that forced Ishikawa to submit for the first time.
Brown (3-1-0) was forced to play defence early in round one as Ishikawa (9-4-0) scored with straight right hands. Brown’s left eye began to swell and turn red, but she landed some solid knee strikes in the clinch. Ishikawa responded with more straight rights in the final minute and she took round one on two of the judges’ scorecards. A third judge saw the round even.
In round two, Brown backed Ishikawa into a corner and she landed knees to the face of her Japanese foe. Ishikawa’s right eyelid swelled up from the force of Brown’s knees, but she kept the round close by landing right crosses and leg kicks. She used a Kosoto gari throw to take Brown down into mount, but time expired before Ishikawa could lock on an armbar. The judges were divided in scoring round two, with one seeing it for Ishikawa, one for Brown and one even.
The ringside physician checked on Ishikawa’s eyelid prior to the start of round three and allowed the fight to continue. Brown clinched, but Ishikawa took her down. Brown worked for a guillotine choke and Ishikawa punched her way free. From her back, Brown transitioned to a slick armbar and Ishikawa had no choice but to tap out.
Two of Brown’s three career victories have come inside the distance and tonight’s win was easily the biggest of her career. Ishikawa had never been finished in 12 prior fights. Women’s bouts in Japan are traditionally contested over two rounds, but Pancrase’s decision to use a three-round format for many of its female fights proved to be a key factor tonight as Brown rallied to score the late-fight submission.
Winner: Amber Brown by Submission (Armbar) at 3:27 of round three. She improves to 3-1-0.
(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)