Japan’s all-female Jewels promotion has announced the first of many bouts for its March 3rd “18th Ring” card in Tokyo. Promotional postergirl Mika “Future Princess” Nagano looks to rebound from a contentious decision loss when she faces former Valkyrie mainstay Emi “Kamikaze Angel” Fujino.
Nagano has made 12 appearances for Jewels since its debut in late 2008 and she remains one of the organisation’s top stars, but managed just one win in three bouts this past year. Fujino has won two of her past three fights and most recently defeated Celine Haga at “17th Ring” in December.
Strikeforce veteran Elaina “Beef” Maxwell and long-time pound-for-pound standout Tara LaRosa will both be in action in a pair of featured women’s matchups at Resurrection Fighting Alliance 2: “Yvel vs Alexander” on March 30th in Kearney, Nebraska. Both fighters await confirmed opponents.
Russia’s Yana “Foxy” Kunitskaya will make a quick return to action when she faces Anna Melikhova at Lion’s Fights 1: “The Beginning” on March 3rd in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The women’s bout, along with the remainder of the promotion’s inaugural fight card, was first reported on 
Two of the UFC’s top welterweight contenders will square off this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada when former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz battles former WEC titleholder Carlos Condit. Diaz and Condit meet in the main event of UFC 143 for the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship.
A battle of heavyweight strikers has been added to the upcoming UFC on FOX 3 card on May 5th in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Former K-1 star Pat “HD” Barry will face recent UFC signee Lavar “Big” Johnson, who won his Octagon debut with an impressive knockout this past weekend.
UFC Featherweight Champion José “Scarface” Aldo made a successful defence of his title during the UFC’s second trip to Brazil in January. Aldo knocked out the previously unbeaten Chad “Money” Mendes at the end of the first round to retain his title and spot atop the 145-pound rankings.
Unbeaten Ukrainian prospect Lena “Hunter” Ovchynnikova will face the toughest test of her career when she meets Strikeforce veteran Maiju “Mai” Kujala at Lappeenranta Fight Night 7 on April 14th. The 115-pound matchup, officially announced today, takes place in Kujala’s home country of Finland.
Led by promoter and former fighter Wallid Ismail, Brazil’s first all-female promotion, Pink Fight MMA, held its first event on Sunday night in Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil. The eight-fight bill included a pair of late additions to the card and featured some of the country’s top female prospects.