Jewels returned to Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo, Japan tonight for Jewels: “Seventh Ring,” which was headlined by a rematch between former Smackgirl champions Hiroko Yamanaka and Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano. Yamanaka avenged her only career loss by defeating Akano via competitive decision.
Elsewhere, Jewels postergirls Mika Nagano and Shizuka Sugiyama were both in action. Nagano bested one-time DEEP veteran Mai Ichii, while Sugiyama came up short in her bout with the always tough Miki Morifuji.
In a posting this evening on her official Facebook page, Strikeforce competitor Erin Toughill has stated her intentions to leave the promotion. While details remain limited, Toughill cited an inability to get fights as a contributing factor and hinted that retirement may be possible.
Toughill had signed a long-term seven-fight contract with Strikeforce and had been scheduled to debut for the promotion last November in a rematch with Marloes “Rumina” Coenen. She was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a ruptured cyst and has not fought since last May.
Two Strikeforce champions could become free agents after April 17th. Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields and Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi are both on the final fight in their contracts and could test free agent waters after their upcoming bouts.
MMAjunkie.com reported earlier today that Mousasi may sign a long-term contract extension following his April 17th bout with Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal. Win or lose in April, Shields will be free of his contractual obligation to Strikeforce and could begin negotiations with the UFC.
The 2010 DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix has begun to take shape with the confirmation of three well-known participants. Former Strikeforce champ Renato “Babalu” Sobral and multi-promotion veteran “The African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou will join Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi in the 205-pound tournament.
Mousasi captured the DREAM Middleweight Championship last year, but vacated the title to move up in weight. He has since beaten both Sokoudjou and Sobral and became Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.
After two years away, MMARising.com can exclusively report that former #2-ranked bantamweight Amanda Buckner will return to mixed martial arts at Freestyle Cage Fighting 42. The eight-year veteran will be a part of the first FCF event in the state of New Hampshire on May 22nd.
Buckner was scheduled to compete in the opening round of the FCF Women’s Bantamweight Grand Prix in January, but suffered a torn ACL in training and was forced to withdraw. She is now recovering after successful surgery and will compete at FCF 42 for just the second time in three years.
Fresh off of her 15-second flying armbar victory over Rosary Califano in February, Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson returns to action on April 24th. Waterson will square off with Japanese veteran Masako Yoshida at “Spring Brawl” at the Urban Plains Center in Fargo, North Dakota.
Both Waterson and Yoshida suffered 2009 setbacks to undefeated Sovereign Nations MMA champ Elena “Babydoll” Reid, but Waterson’s highlight-reel armbar of Califano got her back on track. She will face a tough test against the much more experienced Yoshida, who has fought 37 times.
Mixed martial arts saw a passing of the torch in the heavyweight division at UFC 110 when undefeated powerhouse Cain Velasquez knocked out MMA legend Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira in less than half a round. The dominant victory vaults Velasquez into the top five in the division.
Not to be outdone, bantamweight star Dominick Cruz captured the WEC Bantamweight Championship at WEC 47 and assumes control over the 135-pound division, while Sarah Kaufman’s one-sided victory over Takayo Hashi sees the Canadian standout crack the top five pound-for-pound.
Former WIBA and IFBA Boxing Champion Elena “Babydoll” Reid will return to mixed martial arts action on April 17th. The talented striker will defend her Sovereign Nations MMA Women’s Flyweight Championship when she faces Alyx Luck at Playboy Fight Night in New Town, North Dakota.
Reid captured the title at Extreme Beatdown 5 last October by stopping Japanese veteran Masako Yoshida in the third round of their featured matchup. She has won all four of her MMA bouts to date by a form of knockout. Luck most recently competed for King of the Cage in February.