Japanese star Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii will make her DREAM debut on New Year’s Eve. The submission specialist faces Spanish prospect Karla Benitez at DREAM: “Genki Desu Ka” in Saitama, Japan. MMARising.com confirmed plans for the bout following an initial report from Sherdog.com.
Fujii has been sidelined while rehabbing injuries following a July victory over Jewels postergirl Mika “Future Princess” Nagano. She has tasted defeat just once; a contentious decision in last year’s Bellator women’s tournament. Benitez most recently had a five-fight winning streak snapped in October.
Fujii (24-1-0) has been regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound female fighters in MMA for well over four years. The Japanese dynamo has secured finishes in 19 of her 25 career bouts, with 18 of her wins coming by submission. A judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Fujii has been looked dominant against many of the sport’s best fighters throughout her career, but suffered a crushing defeat against Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Gurgel in the finals of the inaugural Bellator 115-pound women’s tournament last year. Since the controversial decision defeat, Fujii has won back-to-back fights in Japan.
Benitez (6-1-0, 1 NC) won six of her first seven fights, with the lone blemish coming in the form of a No Contest in late 2008. She notched her biggest victory to date in August by defeating England’s Simona Soukupova and had expected to face Strikeforce veteran Maiju “Mai” Kujala last month. However, after Finland’s Kujala was forced to withdraw, Benitez faced another Finnish prospect, Katja Kankaanpää, and dropped a Unanimous Decision. Benitez now looks to rebound from her first loss in what will easily be her toughest matchup to date. She has finished four of her career opponents.
DREAM: “Genki Desu Ka” is set for December 31st at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The uniquely-titled event – which translates to “How Are You?” – is named after a popular phrase used by general producer Antonio Inoki and replaces the traditional K-1 “Dynamite!!” New Year’s Eve card.
this event gets better by the day
Got to love Megumi!