Former Deep Jewels Interim Strawweight Champion Emi Tomimatsu looks to rebound from a decision defeat in June when she returns to action on November 3rd at Deep Jewels 14 in Tokyo, Japan. Tomimatsu is set to battle veteran contender Tomo Maesawa in a featured atomweight matchup.
Deep Jewels officials announced the bout this week. Also confirmed for the card is a second atomweight contender’s bout between Saori “Shooting Star” Ishioka and highly-touted rising star Mina Kurobe, who is coming off of her second victory over Maesawa at Deep Jewels 13 this past month.
Tomimatsu (11-11-0) dropped down to the atomweight division this past year and faced Kurobe in a competitive bout that ended with Kurobe taking home a narrow decision win. Undeterred, Tomimatsu put together a three-fight winning streak that included key wins over Satomi “Sarami” Takano and Ishioka, which let to a showdown against Naho “Sugi Rock” Sugiyama for the vacant Deep Jewels Atomweight Championship at Deep Jewels 12. The entertaining three-round main event went to the judges, and Sugiyama prevailed via Unanimous Decision, but Tomimatsu put forth a strong showing in defeat.
Maesawa (6-6-0) has also battled through ups and downs against formidable opposition during her career, which began with three straight defeats including a loss to Kurobe. She bounced back with wins in six of her next eight fights, with the lone defeats coming against Takano and current UFC rising star Cortney “Cast Iron” Casey. In August, Maesawa engaged in a rematch with Kurobe at Deep Jewels 13, but Kurobe did enough to take a back-and-forth decision victory. Maesawa now looks to establish herself as a contender with her biggest win to date.
Ishioka (14-9-0) returned from a two-year retirement in May 2014 and earned a shot at the Deep Jewels Atomweight Championship by submitting Takano in a Fight of the Year candidate at Deep Jewels 4. Her title hopes were dashed when she succumbed to a second-round armbar from then-champion Seo Hee Ham at Deep Jewels 6, and Ishioka did not compete again until March of this year when she was submitted by Tomimatsu at Deep Jewels 11. In June, Ishioka got herself back on the winning track with a much-needed victory over Hana Date at Deep Jewels 12.
Kurobe (8-2-0) has taken on many of Japan’s top-ranked female atomweights throughout her pro career, which dates back to her December 2012 debut at Jewels: “22nd Ring.” She holds key victories over Maesawa (twice), Takano and Tomimatsu, but a championship title has thus far remained just outside of Kurobe’s grasp. Her two defeats came against elite opposition in the form of former champion “V.V” Mei Yamaguchi and current titleholder Sugiyama, and Kurobe is currently riding a three-fight winning streak that has kept her in title contention.
Deep Jewels 14 takes place on November 3rd at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo, Japan.
(Photo Credit: Deep Jewels)