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