WPMF Japan Women’s Pinweight Champion Saya Ito makes the first defence of her title on April 5th at Muaylok: “The Battle of Muay Thai 7” in Tokyo, Japan. The 16-year-old “Muay Thai Genius” is set to face J-Girls Pinweight Champion Chihiro Kira in a five-round bout on the card.

Officials announced the championship fight this past week. Ito avenged a past loss and captured the WPMF title in September when she edged out Haru “Taj Mahal” Tajima. She most recently defeated Kira’s sister, Yuuki, in December. Kira won a one-night J-Nexus tournament on December 20th.

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden tonight for UFC on FOX 14: “Gustafsson vs Johnson.” The event was headlined by a light heavyweight contender’s bout between hometown star Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.

Also on the card tonight, former Strikeforce champ Dan “Hendo” Henderson battle Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi in the middleweight co-main event. Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis took on Ryan “Darth” Bader in a featured 205-pound bout. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the main card.

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Deep Women’s Flyweight Champion “Princess” Satoko Shinashi looks for her fourth straight win when she next competes at Deep: “71 Impact” on February 28th in Tokyo, Japan. The submission specialist is set to battle Emi Yamamoto in a featured 45kg bout on the event’s main card.

Deep officials announced the matchup on Wednesday. Shinashi returned to MMA in October following a six-year retirement and she has since earned back-to-back stoppage wins against overmatched opponents. She will be a significant favourite against Yamamoto, who dropped her August pro debut.

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With Deep Jewels Featherweight Champion Seo Hee Ham competing in the UFC, Deep Jewels officials have booked an eight-woman featherweight grand prix. The 48kg tournament takes place at Deep Jewels 7 on February 21st in Tokyo, Japan and features some of the promotion’s top talent.

Among those competing in the tournament is former Deep Jewels Interim Lightweight Champion Emi Tomimatsu, who drops down to 106 pounds. She joins former Valkyrie Featherweight Champion “V.V” Mei Yamaguchi as an early tournament favourite. In a reserve bout, Miyoko Kusaka faces Pan Hui.

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Former UFC title challenger Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche steps back into the Octagon on April 4th at UFC Fight Night 63: “Mendes vs Lamas” in Fairfax, Virginia. Carmouche is set to face off against the inaugural Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion, Lauren Murphy, in featured action on the card.

UFC officials announced the fight today. Carmouche has not fought since April 19th, when she dropped a competitive decision to Miesha “Cupcake” Tate at UFC on FOX 11. Murphy seeks her first UFC victory after suffering a razor-thin Split Decision loss to Sara McMann in her Octagon debut.

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts tonight for UFC Fight Night 59: “McGregor vs Siver.” The event was headlined by a featherweight contender’s bout between outspoken fan favourite “The Notorious” Conor McGregor and Dennis Siver.

Also on the card tonight, former WEC rivals Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and “Smooth” Benson Henderson clashed for the third time in the lightweight co-feature. Uriah “Primetime” Hall met late replacement Ron “Choir Boy” Stallings at 185. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the main card.

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TUF 18 finalist Jessica “The Ragin'” Rakoczy looks for a fresh start in a new division when she returns to action at UFC 186: “Dillashaw vs Barao 2” on April 25th in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Rakoczy drops to 115 pounds to face Valérie “Trouble” Létourneau, who makes her strawweight debut.

UFC officials announced the featured matchup on Saturday night. Rakoczy surprised many by fighting her way to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 18 in 2013 before losing to Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña. Létourneau won her short-notice Octagon debut as a bantamweight at UFC 174 in June.

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UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza makes the first defence of her new title on March 14th at UFC 185: “Pettis vs dos Anjos” in Dallas, Texas. Esparza battles undefeated Polish striker Joanna Jędrzejczyk in the five-round co-main event on the card.

UFC officials confirmed plans for the fight on Wednesday following reports from multiple outlets. Esparza made history by becoming the UFC’s first 115-pound women’s champ on December 12th. One night later, Jędrzejczyk handed Claudia “Claudinha” Gadelha her first loss at UFC on FOX 13.

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