Former strawweight champion Miki Motono got back to winning ways at Deep-Jewels 35 last weekend. The 27 year old scored a unanimous decision victory over Namiko Kawabata in Tokyo.
Motono was coming off back to back losses to Seika Izawa, the second of which cost her the strawweight title. Her opponent only made her pro debut in March but has already won two fights for Deep-Jewels.
In the end it would be the more experienced fighter who prevailed. Motono scored a single leg takedown right at the start of the first round and this set the tone for the fight.
Easy decision
Eventually Kawabata was able to work her way back up again only to be taken down and mounted. Motono couldn’t capitalize with any meaningful strikes or submissions but was in total control of the fight at this stage.
The second round followed a similar pattern. Kawabata was able to resist Motono’s initial takedown attempt but she was only delaying the inevitable and soon found herself on her back again.
It was a familiar feeling for the young prospect who was looking to throw up her legs and lock in an armbar or triangle but couldn’t find an opening. Kawabata was able to work her way back up again only to be quickly taken down.
It left the judges with an easy decision. All three scored the fight 20-18 in favour of the former champion who is back to winning ways.
Best of the rest
In the co-main event Reina Miura finished Tae Murayama with five seconds remaining in the first round of their featherweight fight. ‘King Reina’ locked in an armbar to get her career back on track after a series of losses in kickboxing and MMA.
Deep-Jewels 35, Tokyo, December 11th
Miki Motono def. Namiko Kawabata via Decision (Unanimous)
Reina Miura def. Tae Murayama via Submission (Armbar) at 4:55 of Round 1
Aya Murakami def. Mizuki Furuse via Submission (Armbar) at 4:58 of Round 1
Kate Lotus def. Aoi Kuriyama via Decision (Unanimous)
Yuko Kiryu def. Tomoko Inoue via Decision (Unanimous)
Shoko Fujita def. Yurina via Decision (Unanimous)
Moeri Suda def. Eru Takebayashi via Submission (Armbar) at 4:41 of Round 1
Hanako Sawa def. Kano Kagaya via Decision (Unanimous)
Otoha vs. Haruka Yamaguchi ended in a Draw (Majority)
Marina Kumagai def. Pochan Z via Decision (Unanimous)
