WPMF Japan Women’s Pinweight Champion Saya Ito steps back into the ring for her next bout at M-Fight: “The Battle of Muay Thai 6” on December 7th in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. The 15-year-old “Muay Thai Genius” is set to face off against 18-year-old Yuuki Kira in a 100-pound matchup.

M-Fight officials announced the fight this week. Ito most recently avenged a past loss by defeating Haru “Taj Mahal” Tajima in September to capture the WPMF Japan women’s pinweight title. Kira dropped a Majority Decision to Akari “Union” Nakamura in early August at the Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup.

Read More…

Four women’s bouts featuring many of Japan’s top female fighters are now set for Deep: Dream Impact 2014, which takes place on December 31st in Saitama. Former Jewels Lightweight Queen Champion Ayaka Hamasaki battles former Valkyrie Featherweight Champion “V.V” Mei Yamaguchi.

Also confirmed for the New Year’s Eve card is a bout between former Deep Jewels Interim Lightweight Champion Emi Tomimatsu and recent WSOF title challenger Emi “Kamikaze Angel” Fujino. Shizuka Sugiyama faces Emiko “Fujin” Raika and “Princess” Satoko Shinashi takes on Rika Hamada.

Read More…

Visa issues have forced Brazilian standout Vanessa Porto out of a planned rematch against Roxanne “The Happy Warrior” Modafferi at Invicta Fighting Championships 10 on December 5th in Houston, Texas. In Porto’s place, Andrea “KGB” Lee has stepped in to face Modafferi in the flyweight fight.

Invicta FC officials confirmed the change on Thursday. Lee, a skilled striker who remains unbeaten in her pro MMA career, won her Invicta FC debut earlier this month by defeating Shannon Sinn. She takes a huge step up in competition to face Modafferi, who defeated Tara LaRosa in September.

Read More…

With former boxing champ Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm sidelined due to a neck injury, CFA women’s featherweight tournament winner Ashlee Evans-Smith has stepped in to battle Raquel “Rocky” Pennington at UFC 181: “Hendricks vs Lawler 2” on December 6th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UFC officials confirmed the change today following an initial announcement from Pennington’s team on Tuesday. Evans-Smith remains unbeaten in her pro career and she most recently earned a TKO victory in June. Pennington looks to rebound from a close loss to Jéssica “Bate Estaca” Andrade.

Read More…

Canadian standout Randa Markos became the first semi-finalist with a quick submission victory during tonight’s ninth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 20: “A Champion Will Be Crowned.” Markos submitted rival Felice “Lil’ Bulldog” Herrig with a scarf hold armlock in the first round of their quarterfinal bout.

Tensions rose between Markos and other Team Pettis members, including Herrig and top seed Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza, over a disagreement regarding training schedules during tonight’s episode. Markos did not let the drama affect her and she became the first woman to submit Herrig in MMA.

Read More…

J-Girls has booked a one-night 46kg tournament for the upcoming J-Nexus 2014 card on December 20th in Tokyo, Japan. 2014 Shoot Boxing Japan Girls S-Cup winner Yukari Yamaguchi takes on J-Girls Pinweight Champion Chihiro Kira in one semi-final, while Yoshimi battles Fuka Saito in the other.

Yamaguchi won the inaugural 48kg all-Japan Girls S-Cup tournament in August and she remains unbeaten in her pro career. Kira captured J-Girls gold with a close decision win in July. The winners of the Yamaguchi-Kira and Yoshimi-Saito bouts will meet in the tournament final later in the night.

Read More…

Four-time Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup Champion Rena Kubota is set to face one of her toughest opponents to date on November 30th at the 2014 Shoot Boxing World S-Cup in Tokyo, Japan. Kubota meets 19-year-old WPKL Women’s Flyweight Champion Isis “Fight Queen” Verbeek in a 50kg bout.

Kubota most recently won three fights in one night to claim her fourth Girls S-Cup title on August 2nd. She is currently riding a 12-fight winning streak and is one of the top female strikers in Japan. Verbeek has won 40 of her 45 kickboxing matches and now makes her shoot boxing debut on the card.

Read More…

WSOF Women’s Strawweight Champion Jessica “Jag” Aguilar retained her title with a five-round Unanimous Decision victory tonight at World Series of Fighting 15: “Branch vs Okami” in Tampa, Florida. Aguilar defeated Brazilian rising star Kalindra Faria in a competitive bout on tonight’s main card.

Faria, previously under an exclusive deal with XFC who announced today that they will be suing WSOF for breach of contract, was delayed en route to Florida due to visa issues. The talented fighter got to the U.S. and put on a strong showing in defeat, but Aguilar took home a well-deserved victory.

Read More…