Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Emi Fujino Blog

I'm worried about an important friend of mine who feels guilty when they eat, it reminds me of my eating disorder.

So I thought I'd out myself as an example for those troubled people.

This is when I was refusing food

























From when I was a kid, I loved to eat and I ate a lot, so up till around junior high school I ate well and had a good physique.

But, once I got to high school I developed a complex about my body, so I started dieting.
Since I didn't have a lot of knowledge, I just restricted how much I ate.

Before that I had been a person who ate a lot so when I all of a sudden stopped eating I lost a lot of weight.

More than being hungry, I was happy about losing weight, so I didn't stop.

Even thought I was living in a dorm, I started dieting with my younger sister since we went to and from school together, we were the sisters who were only skin and bone.

Eventually my parents were summoned to the school, because of my radical diet.
During those days, to me now it is unbelievable, I weighed around 38kg (84lbs).
My grip strength in my left hand was less than 7kg (15lbs).

After that I went through a cycle of overeating.

Especially once I entered college, when I was living by myself, and the chance to go out drinking increased, I began binge eating.

I would drink, have dinner, then I wouldn't have a break, I'd go to 3 beef bowl shops, then I'd buy even more at the convenience store.
At the first shop, I'd get the extra large portions too.

I would throw up so I could eat, it was like bait.

I didn't want to feel guilty about eating until I was full, so I'd throw up so I could eat.

Because of this and that then I would rebound. But when I'd rebound since I didn't like myself, the complex would cause me to stress, and that stress would lead me to overeating, it was a vicious circle.

From that place, I had my chance to break the circle, my dad saw how fat I had gotten and introduced me to a trainer, and I started receiving personal training.

Because I knew I would keep going through my dietary cycle, I didn't have a choice but to work out.

In the beginning, I hated working out, but my personal sessions started to become more enjoyable, so I started going to the gym twice a week. Also, since I had to make appointments, when I didn't want to go I still had this driving force making me go.

Since I started exercising my body, it became a habit, oddly enough my overeating also started to die down. When I would work out, I didn't think about an excessive amount of things, it was like a reset for my mind, during a moderate workout I also got my autonomic nerves in order.

Eventually I got the chance from my personal trainer to start doing martial arts.

Now my complex about being fat is underfoot, and I don't think about it at all (lol)

People can say whatever they want about my body or my weight.

Of course there were issues of overeating, but now I don't have the feelings of guilt, I know how to reset from overeating now.

Best of all, eating is fun so I'm happy.

That's the best.

Eating is important.

Now if I want to lose weight, I have the knowledge on how to do it properly.

I can also give a little advice.

Not to ramble, before I start to feel guilty, lets work out together.

I'll be waiting at the gym.



Deep Jewels 7 Participants


The fighters have been announced. As I expected several fighters will be going down to 105 for the first time in their careers. Absent from the grand prix are fighters like Saori Ishioka, Naho Sugiyama, and Ayaka Hamasaki. However, there are some young fighters mixed in like Ayaka Miura and Satomi Takano, so it should be interesting.

The fighters in the 105 grand prix, on 2/21 will be;


V.V. Mei Yamaguchi (12-8)


Emi Tomimatsu (8-9)


Tomo Maesawa (4-4)


Ayaka Miura (1-1)


Satomi Takano (4-5)


Mina Kurobe (4-0)


Yukiko Seki (13-24)


Masako Yoshida (18-20)

In addition, there will be a reserve match between;

Miyoko Kusaka (5-8)
vs.
Miki Araki

Monday, January 12, 2015

2014 WMMA Press Awards, Atomweight of the Year


Atomweight of the Year

The Finalist
  • Herica Tiburcio (1-0, won the Invicta title)
  • Jodie Esquibel (2-0)
  • Seo Hee Ham (3-0 at atomweight)
  • Ayaka Hamasaki (2-0)

Photo Courtesy of Lady Go!
The 2014 WMMA Press Atomweight of the Year is Ayaka Hamasaki. Having spent the majority of her career to this point fighting at Strawweight, the Japanese fighter underwent knee surgery in 2013 that left her out of action for more than a year. When Hamasaki returned it was not at Strawweight but at Atomweight. In her first fight at 105, Hamasaki defeated former Jewels Champion and Invicta challenger, Naho Sugiyama by TKO in the first round. 

Afterwards, Hamasaki faced off against veteran and former Valkyrie Champion "V.V" Mei Yamaguchi. The fight took place on Deep's NYE show at Saitama Super Arena. Hamasaki looked strong throughout the fight and won a Unanimous Decision.

I had the opportunity to talk to Ayaka about winning the award;

It is a great honor to be chosen!
Thank you very much!
I'm going to do my best this year as well!

[On her fight with Naho]
 It was my first fight in over a year because of my knee surgery, it was also my first fight at 105, so I was a little nervous. From the beginning of the fight I was looking for either the TKO or the Sub, so its great that I got one.

[On her fight with Mei]
She was a very strong and tough opponent.
It makes me happy being able to fight a strong opponent like that.
I think it was a really good experience for me.

I think it would be really great to fight abroad in 2015.
If I get the chance to do that, I think I'd like to challenge for the title.

I'd like to  really thank all those who not only supported me this time, but who always support me.
I want to repay your support with victories.



The WMMA Press Award is the longest running award for the female divisions of MMA. This will be the 6th year. Six websites from across the planet are part of the committee this year which is a cross section of women's MMA experts.

The Committee
Gina Begley: Pro WMMA Now / Bluegrass MMA
Pedro Henrique: Da Made Ferro MMA
Charlie Jewett: CJ's Report
Yael Grauer: Sherdog
MarQ Piocos: WomantSports.com
Elias Stefanescu: Ground and Pound
Kristin Ursy: Women's MMA Round-up


Thursday, January 1, 2015

"V.V" Mei Blog: Happy New Year


Please continue to support me through 2015.

It looks like I'll be busy with various things this year again.


More Jiu-Jitsu.


More MMA.


And more Karate.

I'll be busy.

It's the best.

I'm gonna have a good year.




Emi Fujino Blog: After the fight


I feel like I've gotten weaker or something.

I got obsessed with winning, I didn't take any risk because all I wanted was to win.

That wasn't the Kamikaze Angel.

That wasn't the situation to fight a defensive fight.

I should have gone in there with nothing to lose, when you fight not to lose, you fight with a boring pride which turns into a boring fight.

I've never done that before.

I want to have fight interesting fights.
I want to have fights that people want to see again.

What I got the most, was that in a fight where I fought to win without taking any risks, this is the most furious I've been.

I will return to the beginning.
I want to go forward tougher/braver.

If it turns out I can't do that, I'll retire.

If I can't fight my a fight where there is a sense of me, I'll end it.

The pictures were taken by Nagao.
Thank you for always taking wonderful pictures!
I love the pictures Nagao takes the best.










Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Questions with Hamasaki!


Name: Ayaka Hamasaki
Age: 32
Height: 5"2 (157.5cm)
Weight: 105lb (48kg)
Record: 10-1
Notable Wins: Naho Sugiyama, Emi Fujino, Mizuki Inoue, Ham Seo Hee, and Yuka Tsuji


CJ: You returned to action in August (after a year layoff to recover), and defeated Sugiyama by TKO. That's your first non-injury TKO. You also dropped her with your punches. Can you talk about the fight? Did you think you would win by TKO?

AH: It was my first fight in over a year because of my knee surgery, it was also my first fight at 105, so I was a little nervous. From the beginning of the fight I was looking for either the TKO or the Sub, so its great that I got one.

Courtesy of Lady Go!
Hamasaki Drops Sugiyama
CJ: You were supposed to fight for Invicta FC in November, but the fight fell through because of your opponent's visa problems. Your opponent who you were supposed to fight is now the champion. Did you see her fight with Michelle?

AH: I haven't seen it, but I think that both Herica and Michelle are also very strong.

CJ: Would you like to fight for the Invicta FC title? If so, when?

AH: I want the title! Whenever is ok!

Courtesy of Lady Go!
Two of DJ's Successful Invicta Fighters
CJ: Now there isn't a Deep Jewels 105 champion. Yet, there are a lot of 105 fighters in Japan right now. Are you aiming at the Deep Jewels championship as well?

AH: I'd also like to fight in Japan. However, when it comes to the title, I want the Invicta title more than I want the Deep Jewels title.

CJ: How's your knee? Is it back to 100%?

AH: Yes, I can train and practice without taping without being nervous about it.

Hamasaki before the surgery, where she had to tape her knees.

CJ: You're fighting on a NYE card. Can you talk about what that means to you?

AH: This is my first time at such a big event as a NYE event, so I think I will have a chance to show all the people who come my fight. 
So I will do my best with all of my might!

CJ: Is there anything you would like to say? Anyone you would like to thank?

AH: I'd really like to thank those who have helped me and supported me. I will repay your support by going for the win.



This interview was conducted in Japanese.
The original Japanese below.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Questions with V.V Mei!


Name:Mei Yamaguchi
Age: 31
Height: 5"1 (152cm)
Weight: 105lb (48kg)
Record: 12-7
Notable Wins: Emi Tomimatsu, Saori Ishioka, Emi Fujino, Yuka Tsuji, Mika Nagano

CJ: You’ve had a busy 2014. You fought Gina Iniong, fought in the Girl’s S-Cup, fought Yukiko Seki, and you started a new gym (I think). Can you talk about your year, the fights you’ve had, and about the new gym?

Mei: I fought in Philippine in March, PXC, which made me realize that I need more skill and physical in order to win against foreign fighter, I only need submission or KO. 

I've started a new gym,only kids karate class dojo, but my life haven't change at all. 
I'm training as hard as I can for each fight, always looking for progress with my great teammates.



CJ:  Your fight with Ayaka will be one of the biggest fights of your career. Can you talk about what the fight means to you? How do you think the fight will go? How are you preparing?

Mei: Many people says it's the biggest fight in my career so far. I think it's an important match but I always consider all of my fight is important in my life so I prepared as same as other fights. Both of us think it'll end in either submission or KO so it's gonna be either one.


CJ:  Your fight with Megumi Fujii was an amazing fight. Does fighting Fujii help you prepare for Hamasaki?

Mei: Yes, their base is Judo, same coach and similar habit. But it's same thing for them, they can prepare well enough to fight against me.  We both are well prepared, so I only can rely on my fighting spirit.

Courtesy of Lady Go!

CJ: You are also a karate instructor. Can you talk about your karate background, and how it influences your style?

Mei: I started traditional style karate in Gensiryu Butokukai since elementary school. I'm instructor at same school now. 
I learn a lot from Lyoto Machida for my mma fighting style. 
Since I'm fighting in shootboxing, it gives me hint to mix several technique to create my mma style.


CJ: You’ve fought several times at 105 now. Can you talk about any differences you are noticing? How is the cut?

Mei: There is big difference in power. I was able to fight in 115 for long time but 105 is much better to move around in the cage and control the opponent. 
Weight cut is bit hard but I'm getting used to it. 

CJ: The 105 division is a very interesting division. There seems to be talent all over the world. Can you  talk about who you would like to fight next? With a win over Ayaka, would you like to fight for Invicta? What would a win over Ayaka mean for you?

Mei: There's a lot of great fighter in 105. But before I talk about who I want to fight and where, I just need to win against Hamasaki now. I'll talk about 105 after I win. 

CJ: You have headlined cards, been a part of the first female pancrase main event, taken part in numerous S-Cups. What part of your career stands out the most to you?

Mei: S-cup gave me confidence to my stand fights.

Courtesy of Lady Go!

CJ: Are you still looking to fight in the U.S?

Mei:Yes I'm always.  But as I said, I need to win this time in order to fight outside Japan. 

CJ:  There are a lot of 105lbers in Japan, and no champion, how do you see the future of the division?

Mei:I will be the Champion!
And I hope there's  more young stars appear. 

CJ: Is there anything you would like to say? Anyone you would like to thank?

Mei: I thank all of my fans and teammates, family and sponsors. 
I hope there's some way to see Deep Dream Impact 2014 from foreign country. All of the fight is gonna be exciting, especially women's!!


This interview was conducted in English