Deep Jewels contender Namiko “Hime” Kawabata will welcome a fresh challenger when she returns to action on March 23rd at Deep Jewels 48 in Tokyo, Japan. Kawabata is set to face former Flyweight Queen of Pancrase Champion Honoka Shigeta in a 50kg matchup that will headline the card.

Deep Jewels officials announced the featured bout along with ten additional fights for the card this week. In the bantamweight co-main event, Deep Jewels Featherweight Champion Yoko Higashi returns to the promotion to face prospect Mana Akagi, who is coming off of a quick win in November.

Read More…

As expected, Rizin FF Women’s Super Atomweight Champion Seika Izawa remained undefeated and scored another quick submission win tonight at Rizin Fighting Federation 49: “Decade” in Saitama, Japan. Izawa tapped out short-notice foe Lucia Apdelgarim with a first-round triangle armbar.

Izawa had originally been slated to face Rena Kubota on tonight’s card, but that bout was scrapped when Kubota sustained an injury. Izawa’s Rizin title was not on the line against the massive underdog, Apdelgarim, but she nevertheless put forth another strong effort while securing the victory.

Read More…

Shooto held its fourth all-female Colors event tonight at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo, Japan. The ten-fight Shooto: “Colors 4” card was headlined by an Infinity League women’s atomweight tournament bout between Ayane Hirata and fellow teen prospect Noeru “Noel” Narita, as both sought a key win.

In the co-feature, also in the Infinity League atomweight tournament, Seo Young Park aimed for her third straight victory when she faced the winless Mikiko Hiyama. Chiyo Takamoto battled Megumi Sugimoto in strawweight action. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the “Colors 4” card.

Read More…

Deep Jewels Flyweight Champion Rin Nakai showcased much-improved striking and earned her 12th straight finish in tonight’s Deep Jewels 47 main event at New Pier Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Nakai stopped Haruka “Boss” Suzuki with punches during the first round of their non-title 58kg matchup.

Also on the card, Machi Fukuda took another step back toward strawweight title contention with a second-round submission victory over former Deep Jewels Microweight Champion Suwanan “Amp The Rocket” Boonsorn in the co-main event, and Mana Akagi made short work of Marina Kumagai.

Read More…

Deep Jewels remained at New Pier Hall in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday night for its latest all-female card. Deep Jewels 47 was headlined by a non-title 58kg clash between reigning Deep Jewels Flyweight Champion Rin Nakai and Haruka “Boss” Suzuki, who had won back-to-back fights this year.

In the strawweight co-main event, two-time interim title challenger Machi Fukuda faced former Deep Jewels Microweight Champion Suwanan “Amp The Rocket” Boonsorn, and Marina Kumagai battled Mana Akagi at bantamweight. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for Deep Jewels 47.

Read More…

Former two-time Rizin FF Women’s Super Atomweight Champion Ayaka Hamasaki made a successful return to the cage and earned an impressive victory tonight at Rizin Fighting Federation: “Landmark Vol. 10” in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. The veteran submitted Yu Ri Shim in the 49kg co-main event.

Hamasaki, who was sidelined for most of this year due to an injury, showed no ill effects from her time away and she put forth a solid showing against former Road FC champ Shim. She used a second-round kimura to finish Shim and hopes for a quick turnaround to fight again on New Year’s Eve.

Read More…

Strawweight Queen of Pancrase Champion Haruka “Salt” Hasegawa made a successful defence of her title with a five-round Unanimous Decision win tonight at Pancrase 347 in Tokyo, Japan. Hasegawa defeated former Queen of Pancrase and current Shooto titleholder Emi “Kamikaze Angel” Fujino.

Pancrase 347 featured three additional women’s matchups. Atomweight Queen of Pancrase Champion Satomi “Sarami” Takano defeated Yerin “Ghost” Hong in a non-title bout. Fumika Watanabe upset Takayo Hashi at flyweight, and Karen outpointed Edna “Trakinas” Oliveira Ajala at 115.

Read More…

Rizin FF Women’s Super Atomweight Champion Seika Izawa remained undefeated with a clear-cut Unanimous Decision victory in non-title action tonight at Rizin Fighting Federation 48 in Saitama, Japan. Izawa defeated former Rizin grand prix winner Kanna Asakura, who retired after the fight.

Izawa constantly worked for a finish throughout the three-round bout, and she threatened with numerous submission attempts, but Asakura escaped each time and she even rallied with stomps late in the fight. Both women reflected on the entertaining matchup when discussing it backstage.

Read More…