The fastest growing weight class is at 115 and the list is packed with fighters from both the US and Japan.
The toughest woman in the division is Japan’s number one ranked, Megumi Fujii, who has yet to be defeated in her 19 fights. The human submission machine has only gone the distance three times, tapping her opponents left and right. Fujii hasn’t been in the states since 2007, but her competition has followed her to her homeland.
Number 2 ranked, Miku Matsumoto, has yet to face Fujii but is undefeated in her last 11 fights. With an impressive overall record of 23-4 and another submission specialist, she can claim to be heavily armed, with ten total armbar submissions.
Yuka Tsuji is ranked third, with her only loss going to Ana Michelle Tavares, which she avenged with a knockout in 2007. This 22-1 fighter mixes it up more than Fujii and Miku, racking up three knocks outs with her 14 submission victories. Another fighter yet to face Fujii or Miku.
American, Lisa Ward, comes in at four having just lost to Miku via submission this past summer and losing to Fujii in 2007. Ward goes between the 115 and 125 pound divisions depending on where in the world she fights and has been having mixed success as of late. Lisa Ward is a tough grappler in her own right and is a former Fila Grappling champion.
The undefeated Jessica Pene rounds out the top five. Jumping between Japan and here in the states, Pene has yet to be really tested. Her ground game is solid, only going the distance once in her career. She has one knockout to her credit, so don’t take her stand-up for granted.
Next week we will start coverage of the Freestyle Cage Fighting 135 women’s tournament and the upcoming match between Marloes Coenen and Cyborg Santos.
115 Pound Division Japan vs. USA
By: MarQ Piocos, News Editor
Fightergirls.com