Japanese star Shizuka Sugiyama and former Strikeforce title challenger Takayo Hashi will face off for the inaugural Deep Jewels Middleweight Championship at Deep Jewels 4 on May 18th in Tokyo. The 135-pound matchup was officially announced during a press conference today.

Sugiyama returned to the win column after fighting to a disappointing Draw with Ji-Yeon Kim in November by stopping Mizuho Sato in just 75 seconds at Deep Jewels 3. Hashi stepped back into action this month following a two-year hiatus and she also fought to a two-round Draw against Kim.

Sugiyama (11-3-1) has not tasted defeat in more than three years and the talented karateka has recently established herself as an effective finisher with first-round TKO victories in three of her past four bouts. This past year, it was announced that Sugiyama would likely compete for the first Deep Jewels 135-pound title in early 2014, but a Majority Draw against MMA debutant Kim put those plans on hold. Undeterred, Sugiyama returned to the ring in February and battered Saho with punches en route to a first-round doctor stoppage win to regain her title contender status.

Hashi (14-4-1) brought an eight-fight winning streak into the first Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship bout in February 2010. The Japanese veteran faced off against then-unbeaten Canadian standout Sarah Kaufman, but dropped a lacklustre Unanimous Decision after five rounds. She suffered subsequent defeats against Tara LaRosa and “Alpha” Cat Zingano in regional title bouts and took a two-year break from fighting after defeating Roxanne “The Happy Warrior” Modafferi at Jewels: “18th Ring.” On March 9th, Hashi battled Kim to a Unanimous Draw at Road FC: Korea 2.

In addition to the inaugural title bout between Sugiyama and Hashi, Deep Jewels 4 will also feature a matchup between the returning Saori “Shooting Star” Ishioka (12-7-0) and Satomi “Sarami” Takano (3-3-0). Ishioka has not fought in more than two years and she steps back into action after taking a break to start a family. Takano remains a top prospect on the Deep Jewels roster, but she is coming off of a close decision loss to former Jewels champ Naho “Sugi Rock” Sugiyama at Deep Jewels 3.

Rounding out the card thus far, Naomi Taniyama (0-2-0) faces Yuko Kawabata (0-5-0) and Shiori Hori (0-1-0) takes on Maya Dobashi (0-0-0).

Deep Jewels 4 takes place on May 18th at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo, Japan.

(Photo Credit: Deep Jewels)