Jewels contenders Kikuyo Ishikawa and Miyoko Kusaka are set to face off in a rematch at Pancrase: “Sakaguchi Dojo vs Pancrase” on April 21st in Okinawa, Japan. Pancrase officials announced plans for the atomweight matchup today. Ishikawa and Kusaka initially fought three years ago.
Kusaka prevailed in the pair’s first meeting, but Ishikawa has won six of her seven fights since then and is one of the fastest rising female prospects in Japan. Ishikawa won both of her fights in 2012. Kusaka looks to rebound from a loss in December by defeating the Okinawan for a second time.
“South Valley’s Own” Angelica Chavez has an opponent for her upcoming fight at XFC 23: “Louisville Slugfest” on April 19th in Louisville, Kentucky. The New Mexico native is set to face Stephanie “The Scrapper” Skinner in a featured atomweight matchup. XFC officials announced the bout today.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to make its debut in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on June 15th. UFC 161 will take place at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre and features a light heavyweight rematch between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira.
Texas-based prospect Jinh Yu will make her pro debut on April 6th at Sugar Creek Showdown 16: “Resolution” in Hinton, Oklahoma. Yu faces Invicta FC veteran Meghan Wright in an SCS women’s atomweight title fight. The 105-pound matchup was officially announced for the card this past week.
Despite a number of lineup changes, Championship Fighting Alliance began its inaugural women’s featherweight title tournament tonight at CFA 10: “McSweeney vs Staring” in Coral Gables, Florida. In tonight’s co-feature, Allanna “Hands of Stone” Jones narrowly defeated Kelsey De Santis.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship travelled back to Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan today for UFC on Fuel TV 8: “Silva vs Stann.” The event was headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between former PRIDE champ Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva and “All American” Brian Stann.
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey used her signature armbar to retain her title in the UFC 157 main event on February 23rd. Rousey submitted challenger Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche in round one of an action-packed fight and remains atop the 135-pound women’s ranks.
2004 Olympic silver medallist Sara McMann now has an opponent for her first fight inside the UFC Octagon. The standout wrestler will face knockout artist Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff in a featured bantamweight matchup at UFC 159, which is set to take place on April 27th in Newark, New Jersey.