Saori Ishioka Profile

Courtesy of LadyGo!

Name: Saori Ishioka
Age: 28
Height: 5'2" (157.48cm)
Weight: 105 (48kg)
Record: 13-8
Notable Wins: Mika Nagano, Celine Haga, Tomomi Sunaba

The Shooting Star has been a staple of the Japanese MMA scene since her debut in 2007 and was one of Jewels's top drawing fighters, where she headlined 7 events. It looks like she will be resuming this leading role with Deep Jewels as she headlined Deep Jewels 6 and will be headlining Deep Jewels 11.

The Beginning
Saori started martial arts when she was young, competing in Judo from 4th grade all the way through high school, picking up kendo along the way. Her Judo career was highlighted by a 2nd place finish in the prefecture tournament and a trip to China.

At the age of 19, Saori moved to Tokyo, where the plan was to work a normal job and to live a normal life. However, there was a Karate dojo near her office and she missed the physicality of Judo so she started going to the dojo.

In 2007, Saori made her debut under the Smackgirl banner and subsequently became one of the faces of the Jewels promotion. During her time with these promotions, Saori fought some of the best fighters in Asia. This is reflected in her record, 12-7. On its face  not a great record, but those losses include Megumi Fujii, Yuka Tsuji, Ham Seo Hee and V.V. Mei.

In 2012, Saori got married and pregnant and stepped away from the sport. In her absence, Jewels ceased operations and was taken over by Deep, where Deep Jewels was formed.

The Return
On March 26th, 2014, Deep Jewels held a press conference to announce that Saori would be returning to the ring. After nearly two years, Saori was going to drop a weight class and fight Satomi Takano.

When she initially stepped away to get married and have a child, Saori had intended to return to the ring but that motivation had waned. When she stepped away from Jewels, Mika Nagano had told her not to worry, that she would take care of Jewels until Saori could come back and fight her, but it wasn't to be. Mika got married and wanted to retire to start a family. A retirement fight was scheduled and Saori was to be the opponent but it was abruptly canceled when it was discovered that Mika was pregnant.

With the promise of their match gone and having had her son, Saori debated retiring but ultimately decided to return. She had found new motivation. Saori would fight to help younger fighters, because without the veterans the promotion would fail. In addition, Saori wanted to show her son the results of hard work.

If Saori had ring rust, it didn't show as she finished Takano in the first round by armbar. Now, coming off of a loss to rival Ham Seo Hee, Saori hopes to rebound  with a victory over Emi Tomimatsu at Deep Jewels 11, where she will once again be headlining.

@i_saorin

Invicta FC 16 Card Announced

The Invicta 16 fight card has been announced and it looks good. Newly crowned Atomweight Champion Ayaka Hamasaki will defend her title against Amber Brown. Amber Brown burst into the spotlight when she traveled to Japan and TKO'd Kikuyo Ishikaw. She hasn't lost since and her last two fights were especially dominant. 

The card is full of fan favorites and exciting fighters. The full card is listed below.

I will be writing more articles about the event as it approaches.

Atomweight Title: Ayaka Hamasaki (12-1) vs. Amber Brown (6-1)
Interim Flyweight Title: Vanessa Porto (18-6) vs. Jennifer Maia (12-4-1)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (7-0) vs. Stephanie Eggink (4-2)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (5-2) vs. Jessamyn Duke (3-3)
Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi (18-12) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-1)
Atomweight: Herica Tiburcio (9-2) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (4-1)
Flyweight: Sarah D’Alelio (8-6) vs. Andrea Lee (4-1)
Bantamweight: Kelly McGill (2-0) vs. Amberlynn Orr (0-0)
Strawweight: Ashley Greenway (0-0) vs. Sarah Click (0-0)

Saya Ito Interview

Photo Courtesy of Lady Go!

While I was in Japan, I had the opportunity to meet Saya Ito and watch her train for a little bit. Despite only being 16 years old, Saya has amassed an amateur record of 78-12-3 and a professional record of 10-2-1. She recently became the WPMF champion when she defeated Little Tiger by UD in September of 2015. The two are set to fight again on 3/21.

CJ: How did you get involved in martial arts?

Saya: My brothers did it! When I saw them doing it, I thought that I'd also like to do that! 

CJ: Are they still involved?

Saya: No, they stopped!

CJ: It seemed like Little Tiger did not want to fight you, like she was avoiding you. Did you think the same thing?

Saya: All I wanted was to fight Little Tiger!

CJ: You went to her press conference and called her out. Was that your idea? If so, why did you do it?

Saya: The idea was my coach's. I really wanted to fight Little Tiger, so that is why I did it!

CJ: How did you feel before the fight, were you confident you would win? Was there anything you practiced in particular?

Saya: I was confident. I just trained like I always do, but right before the fight I worked on what I thought I needed to work on.

CJ: What kind of opponent was Little Tiger?

Saya: She has a strong low kick. But she's only been fighting Thais, so she's gotten used to their rhythm. Because of that, I came forward!

CJ: You used a lot of elbows in the fight, is that a recent development?

Saya: Yes, recently. There was no special reason, I was training them so I used them!

CJ: You two will be fighting again. She lost to you, then lost to someone else. Coming off of two losses what do you expect?
Saya: Little Tiger is the one who said she wanted to fight again. So I imagine she must be training really hard.

CJ: You made it seem like there is a difference in Thai rhythm and Japanese rhythm, what's the difference?

Saya: If you only fight Thais, it's going to be difficult to switch to Japanese who come forward. I've had the same problem. That's why I really practiced coming forward and fought that way.

CJ: Don't you think that Japanese women don't really use the plum?

Saya: There aren't that many muay thai fighters in Japan. There are a lot more kickboxers, so they don't really use the plum that often.

CJ: Do you train it allot?

Saya: I don't really train it that much.

CJ: You've trained in Thailand before, how was that?

Saya: It was very intense training. But I remember all of the plum technique.

CJ: While you were there you got to train with some strong female fighters, what was that like?

Saya: In Japan I train with boys a lot so it was nice.

CJ: Ja will be fighting in Japan soon. Do you think you'll go see the fight? What do you think of the match?

Saya: On the same day a fighter from my gym has a fight at a different place, so I don't know if I'll be able to go and see it. I think she'll win. But there will be a weight difference and her opponent will come at her and may be able to overwhelm her.

CJ: Is there anyone you'd like to fight?

Saya: I'd like to fight a fighter from America or Europe. 

CJ: Would you like to fight in either of those places?

Saya: I want to, now the place I want to fight most is America.

Cj: Like Lion Fights for example?

Saya: YES!!

CJ: Haha, do you watch Lion Fights?

Saya: Occasionally

CJ: You became champ last year. Do you have any goals for this year?

Saya: I want to take the WMC title.

CJ: Is Little Tiger the WMC Champion?

Saya: I don' t know, it is probably someone else!

CJ: How often do you want to fight?

Saya: I'd like to fight once a month if I can!

CJ: Now for a fan question, if you could become another fighter, who would it be?

Saya: I'd be Rika (Throngkriasaen), because she is a fighter that I have a lot of respect for.

CJ: What was your reaction when you heard she is retiring?

Saya: I didn't really get to see that many of her fights but I would have liked to have gotten to see more.

CJ: Both Erika and Rika retired while they were still young, how long do you think you want to fight for?

Saya: Up through highschool I want to fight allot. Once I graduate from highschool I will have to think about whether or not I want to keep fighting so often or decrease the amount. I don't think I will continue for a long time.

"No elbows? No Knees? Don't Make Me Laugh"

I'd like to thank Saya for taking the time to answer my questions and for letting me come watch her train. Saya will be fighting Little Tiger in a rematch, where she will be defending her newly acquired WPMF title.

Atomweight of the Year

Photo Courtesy of Invicta FC

The Japanese stand-out has done it again, the WMMA Press has selected Ayaka Hamasaki as the Atomweight of the Year for a second year in a row. She has now won the award every year she has competed in the division.

Despite fighting one time, 2015 was a busy and career defining year for Hamasaki. In winning the Invicta FC championship, she became the first Japanese fighter to win a major championship in North America. In addition, she helped train Shoot Boxing's Rena for her successful mma debut and appeared in a Vice Japan series where she helps train two women who have never fought before.

Gong Magazine's Best Fighter of 2015

2016 should be an exciting year for the champion, with wins over the #2, #3, and #4 ranked Atomweights in the world, many think that a fight with #5 ranked Amber Brown may be on the horizon.

The nominees were:

Ayaka Hamasaki (InvictaFC champ) 

Mei Yamaguchi (DEEP JEWELS champ) 

Julia Jones (3-0 in 2015)

 Thaty Bergamaschi (3-0 in 2015) 

Kanna Asakura (2-0 in 2015) 

Amber Brown (1-0 in 2015)

WMMA Press

·              Gina Begley – Pro WMMA Now / Bluegrass MMA

·              Pedro Henrique – Da Made Ferro MMA (Brazil)

·              Charlie Jewett – CJ’s Report (covering Asian MMA)

·              Yael Grauer – Sherdog.com

·              MarQ Piocos – WombatSports.com

·              Elias Stefanescu – Ground and Pound (Germany)

·              Kristin Ursy – Women’s MMA Round-up

Mizuki Inoue Interview

Hakushinkai Gym

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Toyohashi and to visit with Mizuki Inoue and her coach Sadanori Yamaguchi. During my time there, we discussed some of Mizuki's past fights, her future, and Yamaguchi's background and teaching philosophies. Yamaguchi may not be well known in America, but it is no coincidence that Mizuki (9-3) is the Deep Jewels Champion and two-time Girl's S-Cup Champion, that Yukari Yamaguchi (1-0), his 17 year old daughter, sucessfully made her pro-mma debut this year, is the J-Girls champion and is also a Girl's S-Cup Champion, and that Naoki Inoue (4-0), Mizuki's 18 year old younger brother, made his debut and won four fights this year.

Below are some excerpts from our conversation.

Mizuki and Yamaguchi-Sensei

CJ: It being January, what are your goals for 2016?

Mizuki: I want to win all my fights.

CJ: How many times do you want to fight?

Yamaguchi: Seven times.

Mizuki: Can I do it (laughter)? I want to fight seven times (laughter)

CJ: How about Shoot Boxing?

Mizuki: If I have the opportunity to compete in the Girl's S-Cup or in Shoot Boxing, I would like to do that as well.

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CJ: Your next fight is against Lacey Schuckman, did you see her last fight?

Mizuki: No, I didn't.

CJ: So you didn't see that she said she wants to fight you after she won?

Mizuki: She did? I didn't know that (laughter) What does that mean? Does she think I'm strong and it will be a good fight or does she think she'll win?

Yamaguchi: It means she thinks she'll win, that you are weak.

Mizuki: Does she think I'm weak? Well that doesn't make me very happy then....

Mizuki: I didn't see her last fight, but I saw her fights with Hamasaki and Waterson. She has a long reach and uses it well. She's also pretty good on the ground. That being said, I think I can take her down if I want to and I can strike with her. I think she'll probably try to push me up against the cage and clinch with me.

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CJ: Can you talk about your fight with Alexa Grasso? Some people think it might have been the best fight in Invicta last year.

Mizuki: I thought her punches had good power and she used her reach effectively. My plan was to take her down while she was kicking. I was sure that I lost the first 2 rounds, so I knew I needed to submit her in the 3rd round, so I tackled her and tried my best. I'm kinda happy to hear the people enjoyed the fight, but I lost, so I'm actually not that happy about it. 

Mizuki and Alexa photo courtesy of Sherdog

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CJ: Do you want to fight in the UFC and if so when?

Mizuki: I don't know when, but it is a goal of mine.
Yamaguchi: She'll be ready in about 2 or 3 years. Our targets are Joanna and Claudia.

Next to the heavy bad are two signs, one says Joanna and the other Claudia.

CJ: I heard you've gotten to train with Joanna a little bit.
Yamaguchi: I grappled a little bit with her before her title fight with Carla.
CJ: What do you think of her?
Yamaguchi: She is a monster.
Mizuki: Yes, lol, she is, she has power and speed.
Yamaguchi: I don't know who will win a rematch between her and Claudia, it is difficult to see who will win.
Mizuki: I agree.

CJ: You've already beaten a couple fighters in the UFC and lost a split to Karolina who just beat the number 5 ranked Randa Markos.
Mizuki: I've beaten a couple but I've also lost to Karolina. Next time, I will win. I'm happy that I beat Bec and Alex but have they done well in the UFC? Have they won or lost? If they do well then I've beaten them, but there are stronger people, and I am not 100% confident about facing them yet.
CJ: Anyone that you would like to fight in particular?
Mizuki: I want to fight Karolina again and Carla.
CJ: Why Carla?
Mizuki: She was the former champ, of both Invicta and the UFC.

Yamaguchi: What about Rena?
Mizuki: Rena? (laughter), No way!
Yamaguchi: Why not, she is famous and a big name here in Japan?
Mizuki: In Shoot Boxing or MMA?
Yamaguchi: Don't you think you'd win?
Mizuki: (thinking) (smiles) Yes, I'd like to fight Rena, in Shoot Boxing and in MMA.

Mizuki: Before I enter the UFC, I want to be the Invicta Champ, that way I can be confident that I will do well.

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CJ: Your daughter has been fighting for awhile now, is she going to be competing more and more in MMA now that she has a kickboxing and a Shoot Boxing championship?
Yamaguchi: She's been doing MMA since she was little so she wants to be a champ in it as well. I think right now she is concentrating on kickboxing, that she likes it a little more at the moment, but she will be competing in some MMA matches for Deep and VTJ if the chance arises.

Yukari Yamaguchi, photo courtesy of LadyGo!

CJ: I read that you were influenced by Ichihara's loss to Royce Gracie at UFC 2, can you talk about that?
Yamaguchi: I was part of the same karate-dojo system as Ichihara and at the time I thought he was stronger than me, but he couldn't do anything against Royce. Now, I mix karate with BJJ because I realized that karate alone wouldn't win you fights necessarily, you need to know how to take some one down and grapple. After that fight, I studied BJJ for about a year and a half here in Toyohashi. BJJ is really good and is important. I learned the process, position before submission. The positions were really important to learn. I think karate used to have all these things, because it was real fighting, kind of like mma, now it has been changed into sport karate, I think karate used to look like mma, except with everything allowed, i.e. eye pokes and groin strikes.

CJ: Mizuki competed in a number of BJJ tournaments last year, was that a goal of yours?
Yamaguchi: Mizuki did not have a lot of fights last year, so she did a lot of BJJ competition. She wanted to strike to, but just didn't have the chance to.

Hakushinkai Gym

CJ: A lot of your fighters are really young but already have really good head movement.
Yamaguchi: If you get hit in the head a lot, its bad (laughter), so I have the kids I train move their heads and not get hit to minimize that. From when they are little they learn head movement and  how to block shots. In the Karolina fight, people criticized Mizuki for being too defensive, but she avoided getting hit cleanly to the head. A fighter's life (the time when they compete) is short, so they need to protect themselves. I worry about the heads of my students so I train them how to avoid getting hit.
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CJ: What is an average day for you (Mizuki) like?
Mizuki: I wake up very early and go to work at the convenience store, then I come to the gym and train, then I take a nap, then I come back to the gym and train again, then I go to bed.

CJ: You've talked about how you enjoy Karaoke before, any new songs you are singing?
Mizuki: I haven't had time to go, but when I used to go, I would sing Exile and J Soul Brothers.

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Mizuki: Recently, I've lost a couple of fights, before those fights, I thought I was going to win, but now I know I will win, I must win. If you support me, it would mean a lot.
Yamaguchi: She's lost a couple but I know she'll win, she's strong. Please support us.

I'd like to thank Mizuki and Yamaguchi-sensei for taking the time to talk with me. You can watch Mizuki fight Lacey Schuckman for Invicta FC on UFC Fight Pass on January 16th.

On January 16th, Mizuki faces Lacey Schuckman

Here is an earlier post about Mizuki and Yukari

Glimpse

Narrator: “A duel between the best in Japan”

Narrator: “Little Tiger said you are going to need an ambulance.”

Saya “I will not be the one riding in an ambulance”

Little Tiger “There is no point talking about that comment to those who do not understand, I will show them, it will become obvious to them.

Saya: “Since I was little, I’ve always thought that it looked fun, so I practiced very hard.”

Saya: “I have a dream to become a world champion. I went to the origin and watched Muay Thai. I saw the Muay Thai that I love the most, it seemed obvious to go there if I wanted to be a world champion.

Narrator: “Do you think Little Tiger is running away from you?”

Saya: “ Many times.”

Little Tiger: “How to respond…I have not done that, hearing that has gotten annoying.”

Narrator: “What do you think of your opponent?”

Saya: “She used to have good low kicks, but…(laughter)

Little Tiger: “I think she’s been fighting since she was little, and she is good at Muay Thai.”

Saya: “I want to cut her (laughter)

Little Tiger: “A lot of my supports are coming and I will be the one standing when it is over. A lot of her supporters will be there to see it.

Deep Jewels 8

Shizuka Sugiyama vs. Ji Yeon Kim

Emi Tomimatsu vs. Ayaka Miura

Yuko Oya vs. Misaki Takimoto

Tournament Semi-Finals

Mei Yamaguchi vs. Mina Kurobe

Satomi Takano vs. Tomo Maesawa

Tournament Finals

semi-final winner vs. semi final winner