Wikipedia

Megumi Fujii

Megumi Fujii (藤井 恵 Fujii Megumi, born April 26, 1974) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist and submission wrestler. Fujii is regarded as a pioneer of women's mixed martial arts. She specializes in submission fighting and is known for her quick takedowns and submissions. Her most popular move is the Inazuma toe hold submission, dubbed the Megulock.

Megumi Fujii
Fujii in 2007
Born (1974-04-26) April 26, 1974 (age 50)
Ibara, Okayama, Japan
Other namesMega Megu
Height5 ft 3 in (160 cm)[1]
Weight115 lb (52 kg; 8 st 3 lb)
DivisionStrawweight[1]
Reach61 in (155 cm)[1]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamAbe Ani Combat Club
RankBlack belt in judo[2]
Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[2]
Years active2004–2013 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total29
Wins26
By knockout1
By submission19
By decision6
Losses3
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Women's Submission Wrestling
ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Trenton -60kg
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Long Beach -55kg
Women's Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Gold medal – first place 2006 California -53kg
Gold medal – first place 2004 California -53kg
Bronze medal – third place 2003 California -53kg
Women's Sambo
World Sambo Championships
Silver medal – second place 2003 St. Petersburg -52kg
Silver medal – second place 2002 Panama City -52kg
Silver medal – second place 1999 Gijón -52kg
Silver medal – second place 1998 Kaliningrad -52kg

Background

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Fujii (left) vs. Cody Welchlin (right) in 2013.

Fujii started judo at the age of three due to her father's influence and continued competing at Shukugawa Gakuin Junior High School and Kokushikan University.[2] She retired from judo after graduating from university with a degree in physical education, and became interested in combat sambo.[2]

Fujii was trained in MMA and catch wrestling by Shooto veteran Hiroyuki Abe and Josh Barnett, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and King of Pancrase.[2][3] She has trained several other female MMA fighters herself, including Hitomi Akano.[citation needed]

Fujii is a decorated grappler, including being a Japanese national sambo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, four second place finishes in the World Sambo Championships, and 2004 and 2006 Pan-American jiu-jitsu champion.[citation needed]

In 2005, the first year women competed at the ADCC World Championships, Fujii won bronze in the -60 kg division.[4][5] She won bronze again at the 2007 ADCC World Championships in the -55 kg division.[6]

Fujii was also a multi-time contestant on the seasonal Japanese obstacle course television show Sasuke (Ninja Warrior), but never made it past the first stage.[citation needed]

Mixed martial arts career

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Fujii debuted in mixed martial arts on August 5, 2004 and defeated Yumi Matsumoto by submission in 40 seconds. She then went on to defeat former UFC commentator Erica Montoya at HOOKnSHOOT: "Evolution" in what would be Montoya's final fight.

Further wins over Ana Michelle Tavares, Misaki Takimoto, Keiko "Tama Chan" Tamai and Masako Yoshida established Fujii as one of the top female fighters in the world and she became a staple of Shooto and Smackgirl events.

On November 29, 2006, she faced Australian fighter Serin Murray. Murray claimed before the fight that she studied Fujii tactics and that she would defeat Fujii by KO. However, the Australian fighter left her forward leg exposed inviting Fujii for an attack on it. Fujii went for Murray's legs and won via submission.

She faced Cody Welchin at NFF – The Breakout on March 10, 2007. She won the fight by armbar submission in the first round.[7]

On August 24, 2007, Fujii defeated highly touted American Lisa Ellis by first-round submission at a BodogFight event in Vancouver, British Columbia.[8]

Fujii defeated Cindy Hales and Korean star Seo Hee Ham to advance to the finals of the 2008 Smackgirl World ReMix Grand Prix, but the promotion folded amidst financial troubles before the final round.[9]

In November 2008, the newly rebranded Smackgirl, now known as Jewels, featured Fujii at its debut "First Ring" event. Fujii defeated Tomoko Morii by submission in the first round.

After submitting Won Bun Chu in less than one minute at Shooto: "Tradition Final" in May 2009, Fujii returned to Jewels and defeated rising Japanese contender Saori Ishioka late in the second round.

She defeated veteran striker "Windy" Tomomi Sunaba by first-round armbar at Shooto: "Revolutionary Exchanges 3" on November 23, 2009.[10]

On May 6, 2010, it was announced that Fujii would compete at Bellator 22 on June 10.[11] Bellator later changed the numbering of their events and the June 10 card was renamed Bellator 21. Fujii faced Sarah Schneider[12] and defeated Schneider by TKO in the third round. It marked Fujii's first victory by TKO in her 20-fight career.[13]

Fujii took part in the Bellator 115-pound women's tournament in Season Three, which began on August 12, 2010.[11][14] She was set to face Angela Magaña in the first round of the tournament at Bellator 24,[15] but Magana withdrew from the tournament on August 8, 2010 after suffering a foot injury.[16]

Fujii instead faced two-time All-American wrestler Carla Esparza.[17] She defeated Esparza by armbar submission in the second round.[18]

Fujii once again faced Lisa Ellis in the second round of the Bellator tournament at Bellator 31[19] and won the rematch by armbar submission in the first round.[20]

With the victory, Fujii became only the second mixed martial artist, male or female, to begin a career with 22 consecutive victories. She faced Zoila Gurgel in the finals of the tournament at Bellator 34 on October 28, 2010.[20] Fujii lost the fight via a questionable split decision.[21][22]

Fujii faced Emi Fujino at World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight on December 30, 2010[23] and defeated Fujino by unanimous decision.[24][25]

Fujii rematched Mika Nagano at Jewels 15th Ring on July 9, 2011.[26] She defeated Nagano by unanimous decision.[27]

Fujii faced Karla Benitez at DREAM – Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 on December 31, 2011.[28] She defeated Benitez by submission due to an armbar in the first round.[29]

Fujii returned to Bellator to face Jessica Aguilar at Bellator 69 on May 18, 2012.[30] She was defeated by unanimous decision.[31]

Fujii was rumored to be competing at DREAM 18 on New Year's Eve 2012.[32] However, she instead faced Mei Yamaguchi at Vale Tudo Japan 2012 on December 24.[33] Fujii defeated Yamaguchi by unanimous decision.[34][35]

On June 22, 2013, Fujii announced that she would retire from MMA after competing one final time.[36][37] In her retirement bout, she faced Jessica Aguilar in a rematch at Vale Tudo Japan 3rd on October 5 in Tokyo.[38] Fujii was initially defeated by TKO when the doctor stopped the fight after round two due to an eye injury that was caused by two accidental eye pokes.[39] The result of the fight was later changed to a technical majority decision win for Aguilar.[40]

Personal life

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Fujii is married to mixed martial artist Shinji Sasaki, and they have a child.[2]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
29 matches 26 wins 3 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 19 0
By decision 6 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 26–3 Jessica Aguilar Technical Decision (eye pokes) Vale Tudo Japan 3rd October 5, 2013 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 26–2 Mei Yamaguchi Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan 2012 December 24, 2012 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 25–2 Jessica Aguilar Decision (unanimous) Bellator 69 May 18, 2012 3 5:00 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Win 25–1 Karla Benitez Submission (armbar) Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 December 31, 2011 1 1:15 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win 24–1 Mika Nagano Decision (unanimous) Jewels 15th Ring July 9, 2011 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 23–1 Emi Fujino Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight December 30, 2010 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 22–1 Zoila Frausto Gurgel Decision (split) Bellator 34 October 28, 2010 5 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season 3 Women's 115 lb Tournament Final; For the inaugural Bellator Women's Strawweight World Championship.
Win 22–0 Lisa Ellis Submission (armbar) Bellator 31 September 30, 2010 1 1:39 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season 3 Women's 115 lb Tournament Semifinal
Win 21–0 Carla Esparza Submission (armbar) Bellator 24 August 12, 2010 2 0:57 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season 3 Women's 115 lb Tournament Quarterfinal
Win 20–0 Sarah Schneider TKO (punches) Bellator 21 June 10, 2010 3 1:58 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 19–0 Tomomi Sunaba Submission (armbar) Shooto: Revolutionary Exchanges 3 November 23, 2009 1 3:24 Tokyo, Japan
Win 18–0 Saori Ishioka Submission (armbar) Jewels 4th Ring July 11, 2009 2 4:17 Tokyo, Japan
Win 17–0 Won Bun Chu Submission (keylock) Shooto: Shooto Tradition Final May 10, 2009 1 0:52 Tokyo, Japan
Win 16–0 Tomoko Morii Submission (armbar) Jewels 1st Ring November 16, 2008 1 1:05 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–0 Seo Hee Ham Submission (armbar) Smackgirl: World ReMix 2008 Second Round April 26, 2008 1 3:39 Tokyo, Japan Smackgirl World ReMix 2008 Grand Prix Semifinal
Win 14–0 Cindy Hales Submission (armbar) Smackgirl: World ReMix 2008 Opening Round February 14, 2008 2 0:27 Tokyo, Japan Smackgirl World ReMix 2008 Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Win 13–0 Mika Nagano Submission (triangle choke) Smackgirl: Starting Over December 26, 2007 1 1:20 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–0 Kyoko Takabayashi Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Back To Our Roots 6 November 8, 2007 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–0 Lisa Ellis Submission (armbar) BodogFight: Vancouver August 24, 2007 1 4:50 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 10–0 Cody Welchlin Submission (armbar) NFF: The Breakout March 10, 2007 1 2:40 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 9–0 Masako Yoshida Submission (heel hook) Shooto: Battle Mix Tokyo 1 January 26, 2007 1 0:51 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8–0 Serin Murray Submission (toe hold) Smackgirl: Legend of Extreme Women November 29, 2006 1 0:20 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–0 Keiko Tamai Submission (armbar) Smackgirl: Top Girl Battle June 30, 2006 1 0:53 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–0 Misaki Takimoto Technical Submission (armbar) Shooto: The Victory of the Truth February 17, 2006 2 4:36 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–0 Dah Le Chon Submission (rear-naked choke) G-Shooto: G-Shooto 03 December 17, 2005 1 0:19 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–0 Ana Michelle Tavares Decision (unanimous) G-Shooto: G-Shooto 02 March 12, 2005 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0 Nadia van der Wel Submission (armbar) Shooto: Year End Show 2004 December 14, 2004 1 1:43 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–0 Erica Montoya Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Evolution November 6, 2004 3 5:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 1–0 Yumi Matsumoto Submission (rear-naked choke) Smackgirl: Holy Land Triumphal Return August 5, 2004 1 0:40 Tokyo, Japan

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Megumi Fujii Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Drake Riggs (23 August 2020). "Becoming 'Mega Megu': The Megumi Fujii Story". mymmanews.com.
  3. ^ Thomas, Luke (2014-09-07). "Technique Talk: What is catch wrestling's value?". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  4. ^ Burne, Kathrine (10 October 2023). "Throwback: ADCC 2005 Introduces First Women's Divisions". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  5. ^ "ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 2005". adcombat.com. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  6. ^ "ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 2007". adcombat.com. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  7. ^ "Mega Megu Takes Easy Win in the Cage". Sherdog.com. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  8. ^ "Bodog Fight – Vancouver". Sherdog.com. 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  9. ^ "Smackgirl Postpones ReMix Final". MMARising.com. 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  10. ^ "Shooto: "Revolutionary Exchanges 3" Results". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  11. ^ a b "Megumi Fujii Announced For Bellator 22 In June". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  12. ^ "Fujii vs Schneider Planned For June 10th". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  13. ^ "Megumi Fujii Stops Sarah Schneider At Bellator 21". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  14. ^ "Megumi Fujii returns to U.S. for Bellator 22, tapped for season three women's tourney". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  15. ^ "Fujii-Magana, Aguilar-Alvarez Set For Bellator 24". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  16. ^ "Magana Out Of Bellator Women's Tournament". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  17. ^ "Carla Esparza To Face Megumi Fujii At Bellator 24". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
  18. ^ "Fujii, Aguilar Both Victorious At Bellator 24". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
  19. ^ "Fujii vs Ward, Aguilar vs Frausto Set For Bellator 31". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  20. ^ a b "Fujii, Frausto Advance To Bellator Women's Final". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  21. ^ "Zoila Frausto Wins Bellator Women's Championship". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  22. ^ "Megumi Fujii On Thoughts Of Retirement, Post-MMA Plans". MMARising.com. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
  23. ^ "Megumi Fujii vs Emi Fujino Added To SRC: "Soul Of Fight"". MMARising.com. 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  24. ^ "Sengoku Results & Live Play-By-Play". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  25. ^ "Fujii, Nakai Victorious At SRC; Akano vs Modafferi Scrapped". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  26. ^ "Megumi Fujii To Rematch Mika Nagano At Jewels: 15th Ring". MMARising.com. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  27. ^ "Jewels: "15th Ring" Live Play-By-Play & Results". MMARising.com. 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  28. ^ "Women's Pound-for-Pounder Fujii Gets New Year's Eve Date at Dream". Sherdog.com. 2011-11-30. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  29. ^ "Megumi Fujii Submits Karla Benitez At "Genki Desu Ka!"". MMARising.com. 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  30. ^ "Megumi Fujii vs Jessica Aguilar Confirmed For Bellator 69". MMARising.com. 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  31. ^ "Jessica Aguilar Defeats Megumi Fujii At Bellator 69". MMARising.com. 2012-05-18. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  32. ^ "DREAM 18: "Special New Year's Eve 2012″ Set for December 31 at Saitama Super Arena". MMAFrenzy.com. 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  33. ^ "Megumi Fujii To Face Mei Yamaguchi At Vale Tudo Japan 2012". MMARising.com. 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  34. ^ "Hideo Tokoro Hammers Rumina Sato, Megumi Fujii Wins Possible Final Bout at VTJ 2012". Sherdog.com. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  35. ^ "Megumi Fujii Defeats Mei Yamaguchi At Vale Tudo Japan 2012". MMARising.com. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  36. ^ "Megumi Fujii Announces Retirement Plans After Nine-Year Career". MMARising.com. 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  37. ^ "Women's MMA Trailblazer Megumi Fujii Announces Retirement Bout in October". Sherdog.com. 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  38. ^ "Megumi Fujii vs Jessica Aguilar 2 Set For Vale Tudo Japan 3rd". MMARising.com. 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  39. ^ "Jessica Aguilar Stops Megumi Fujii In Vale Tudo Japan 3rd Rematch". MMARising.com. 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  40. ^ "Aguilar-Fujii Result Changed, Now Deemed A Technical Decision". MMARising.com. 2013-10-09. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
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