Megumi Fujii

Megumi Fujii
Born (1974-04-26) April 26, 1974
Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Other names Mega Megu
Nationality Japanese
Height 5 ft 3 in (160 cm)[1]
Weight 106.1–120 lb (48–54 kg)[1]
Division Strawweight[1]
Reach 61 in (155 cm)[1]
Style Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Tokyo, Japan
Team Abe Ani Combat Club
Rank Black belt in Judo
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
1st Razryad International Master in Sambo
Mixed martial arts record
Total 29
Wins 26
By knockout 1
By submission 19
By decision 6
Losses 3
By decision 3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Megumi Fujii (藤井 恵 Fujii Megumi, born April 26, 1974) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist.

Biography

Fujii (left) vs. Cody Welchlin (right)

Fujii specializes mainly in submission fighting and is renowned for her quick takedowns and submissions. Her most popular move is the Inazuma Toe Hold submission, dubbed the Megulock. She also holds black belts in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Fujii was trained in MMA by Shooto veteran Hiroyuki Abe and professional wrestler, PRIDE Fighting Championships alumni, former UFC Heavyweight Champion and King of Pancrase Josh Barnett. She has trained several other female MMA fighters herself, including current top fighter Hitomi Akano.

Fujii is also a highly decorated fighter outside of mixed martial arts, with accomplishments including Japanese National Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion, five Second Place finishes in the World Sambo Championships, Ground Impact Professional BJJ Tournament Champion and 2004 and 2006 BJJ Pan-Am Champion.

In 2005 and 2007, she earned Third Place finishes in the ADCC Under-60 kg. World Submission Championships.

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.

Mixed martial arts career

Fujii debuted in mixed martial arts on August 5, 2004 and defeated Yumi Matsumoto by submission in just 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 with so much hunger, desire and determination and inflicted so much pain onto Murray's legs that she had no other choice but to tap out and concede a humiliating defeat.

She faced Cody Welchin at NFF – The Breakout on March 10, 2007. She won the fight by armbar submission in the first round.[3]

On August 24, 2007, Fujii defeated highly touted American Lisa Ellis by first-round submission at a BodogFight event in Vancouver, British Columbia.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

On May 6, 2010, it was announced that Fujii would compete at Bellator 22 on June 10.[7] Bellator later changed the numbering of their events and the June 10 card was renamed Bellator 21. Fujii faced Sarah Schneider[8] and defeated Schneider by TKO in the third round. It marked Fujii's first victory by TKO in her 20-fight career.[9]

Fujii took part in the Bellator 115-pound women's tournament in Season Three, which began on August 12, 2010.[7][10] She was set to face Angela Magana in the first round of the tournament at Bellator 24,[11] but Magana withdrew from the tournament on August 8, 2010 after suffering a foot injury.[12]

Fujii instead faced two-time All-American wrestler Carla Esparza.[13] She defeated Esparza by armbar submission in the second round.[14]

Fujii once again faced Lisa Ellis in the second round of the Bellator tournament at Bellator 31[15] and won the rematch by armbar submission in the first round.[16]

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.[16] Fujii lost the fight via a questionable split decision.[17][18]

Fujii faced Emi Fujino at World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight on December 30, 2010[19] and defeated Fujino by unanimous decision.[20][21]

Fujii rematched Mika Nagano at Jewels 15th Ring on July 9, 2011.[22] She defeated Nagano by unanimous decision.[23]

Fujii faced Karla Benitez at DREAM – Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 on December 31, 2011.[24] She defeated Benitez by submission due to an armbar in the first round.[25]

Fujii returned to Bellator to face Jessica Aguilar at Bellator 69 on May 18, 2012.[26] She was defeated by unanimous decision.[27]

Fujii was rumored to be competing at DREAM 18 on New Year's Eve 2012.[28] However, she instead faced Mei Yamaguchi at Vale Tudo Japan 2012 on December 24.[29] Fujii defeated Yamaguchi by unanimous decision.[30][31]

On June 22, 2013, Fujii announced that she would retire from MMA after competing one final time.[32][33] In her retirement bout, she faced Jessica Aguilar in a rematch at Vale Tudo Japan 3rd on October 5 in Tokyo.[34] 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.[35] The result of the fight was later changed to a technical majority decision win for Aguilar.[36]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 26–3 Jessica Aguilar Technical Decision (majority) 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 inaugural Bellator 115 lbs Women's 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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Megumi Fujii Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  2. ↑ "Megumi Fujii Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Mega Megu Takes Easy Win in the Cage". Sherdog.com. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  4. ↑ "Bodog Fight – Vancouver". Sherdog.com. 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  5. ↑ "Smackgirl Postpones ReMix Final". MMARising.com. 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  6. ↑ "Shooto: "Revolutionary Exchanges 3" Results". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  7. 1 2 "Megumi Fujii Announced For Bellator 22 In June". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  8. ↑ "Fujii vs Schneider Planned For June 10th". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  9. ↑ "Megumi Fujii Stops Sarah Schneider At Bellator 21". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  10. ↑ "Megumi Fujii returns to U.S. for Bellator 22, tapped for season three women's tourney". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  11. ↑ "Fujii-Magana, Aguilar-Alvarez Set For Bellator 24". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  12. ↑ "Magana Out Of Bellator Women's Tournament". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  13. ↑ "Carla Esparza To Face Megumi Fujii At Bellator 24". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
  14. ↑ "Fujii, Aguilar Both Victorious At Bellator 24". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
  15. ↑ "Fujii vs Ward, Aguilar vs Frausto Set For Bellator 31". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  16. 1 2 "Fujii, Frausto Advance To Bellator Women's Final". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  17. ↑ "Zoila Frausto Wins Bellator Women's Championship". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  18. ↑ "Megumi Fujii On Thoughts Of Retirement, Post-MMA Plans". MMARising.com. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
  19. ↑ "Megumi Fujii vs Emi Fujino Added To SRC: "Soul Of Fight"". MMARising.com. 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  20. ↑ "Sengoku Results & Live Play-By-Play". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  21. ↑ "Fujii, Nakai Victorious At SRC; Akano vs Modafferi Scrapped". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  22. ↑ "Megumi Fujii To Rematch Mika Nagano At Jewels: 15th Ring". MMARising.com. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  23. ↑ "Jewels: "15th Ring" Live Play-By-Play & Results". MMARising.com. 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
  24. ↑ "Women’s Pound-for-Pounder Fujii Gets New Year’s Eve Date at Dream". Sherdog.com. 2011-11-30. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  25. ↑ "Megumi Fujii Submits Karla Benitez At "Genki Desu Ka!"". MMARising.com. 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  26. ↑ "Megumi Fujii vs Jessica Aguilar Confirmed For Bellator 69". MMARising.com. 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  27. ↑ "Jessica Aguilar Defeats Megumi Fujii At Bellator 69". MMARising.com. 2012-05-18. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  28. ↑ "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.
  29. ↑ "Megumi Fujii To Face Mei Yamaguchi At Vale Tudo Japan 2012". MMARising.com. 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  30. ↑ "Hideo Tokoro Hammers Rumina Sato, Megumi Fujii Wins Possible Final Bout at VTJ 2012". Sherdog.com. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  31. ↑ "Megumi Fujii Defeats Mei Yamaguchi At Vale Tudo Japan 2012". MMARising.com. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  32. ↑ "Megumi Fujii Announces Retirement Plans After Nine-Year Career". MMARising.com. 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  33. ↑ "Women’s MMA Trailblazer Megumi Fujii Announces Retirement Bout in October". Sherdog.com. 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  34. ↑ "Megumi Fujii vs Jessica Aguilar 2 Set For Vale Tudo Japan 3rd". MMARising.com. 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  35. ↑ "Jessica Aguilar Stops Megumi Fujii In Vale Tudo Japan 3rd Rematch". MMARising.com. 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  36. ↑ "Aguilar-Fujii Result Changed, Now Deemed A Technical Decision". MMARising.com. 2013-10-09. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
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