TOKYO, Japan -- Saori Ishioka picked up her second win since succumbing to pound-for-pound great Megumi Fujii with a second-round armbar victory over pro wrestler Mai Ichii at Jewels 8th Ring in Shin-Kiba, Tokyo. Despite having Fujii in her corner, Ichii was outclassed by two time All-Japan Karate champ, finding herself constantly on the defense. The first round looked like a grappling drill, Ishioka locking up armbar after armbar from guard but unable to finish. The arm was finally able to be extended in the second round after Ishioka managed to get to mount.Hiroko Yamanaka moved to 9-1 with her victory over Atsuko "Bullfight Sora" Emoto. Yamanaka was simply too big and strong for Emoto, bullying her into the corners with flurries of punches and knees from the clinch. Emoto's attempts at a flying armbar and a rolling toe-hold were fruitless, and she dropped the unanimous decision. An emotional Emoto had her retirement ceremony post fight.
Full results after the break.
Yamanaka is clearly being built up by Jewels as a possible opponent for Strikeforce featherweight champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos, and while her game has certainly improved since she moved to training full time under Kuniyoshi Hironaka, she still lacks the technical proficiency to offer any real threat.
Joachim Hansen trained Celine Haga had a rough start to her MMA career, winless in her first four outings. After some time training at Kazuyuki Miyata's Brave gym however and mentally repositioning herself, she was a completely different fighter and dominated Rough Stone GP winner, Mika Nagano in a huge upset.
Over the course of two rounds, Haga worked her jab to keep Nagano at bay and despite getting taken down on occasion, was able to work her way to Nagano's back or sweep to a superior position where she landed some powerful liver shots.
"Sometimes your own worst enemy is yourself," Joachim Hansen commented on Haga's performance. "She told herself two weeks ago that she was going to win. She just had confidence this time."
Mach Dojo's Miyo Yoshida was impressive in her win over Yuko Kagoshima. Picking up her first win, Yoshida walked straight through Kagoshima, landing punches at will and getting one down before the KO came at 3:30 in the first round.
The luckless Harumi moved to 0-14, not able to find that ever elusive win after she fell victim to an easy armbar from Yuko "Amiba" Oya in the first round. Hisae Watanabe's cornering was of no help, Harumi attempting a guillotine while mounted, giving Oya easy access to the arm.
Jewels - Eighth Ring Results
MMA Rules:
Saori Ishioka def. Mai Ichii by Submission (Armbar) - Round 2, 2:41
Hiroko Yamanaka def. Atsuko Emoto by Unanimous Decision
Celine Haga def. Mika Nagano by Unanimous Decision
Miyo Yoshida def. Yuko Kagoshima by KO (Punches) - Round 1, 3:30
Yuko Oya def. Harumi by Submission (Armbar) - Round 1, 3:45
Shootboxing Rules:
Shootboxing Rules:
Ai Takahashi def. Yukino Oishi by Unanimous Decision
Mayumi "Cho-Benkei" Aoki def. Kou Ozeki by TKO (Referee Stoppage) - Round 2
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