Top Shootors Go Back Their Roots
Fujii vs. Takabayashi
Jordan Breen Nov 7, 2007
Megumi
Fujii (Pictures) (11-0-0) vs. Kyoko Takabayashi
(Pictures) (8-1-0)
To say that Shooto promoters have been largely unsuccessful in securing quality opponents for Megumi Fujii (Pictures) would be an understatement. In fact, one may not even really be able to say that Shooto promoters have done a decent job acquiring even competent competition for perhaps the sport's most sensational female competitor. However, to some extent, the entire blame can't be heaped upon the powers behind pro Shooto.
The 33-year-old Fujii's list of laurels in sambo, Brazilian
jiu-jitsu, no-gi grappling and similar competitions is lengthy to
say the very least. A clear athletic specimen, Fujii was marked to
be one of female MMA's first bona fide stars when she made her MMA
debut in late '04. However, stars need opposition, and candidates
haven't exactly been throwing their hats into the ring to meet with
"Mega Megu."
While Fujii has had the opportunity to face and defeat highly regarded competition such as Erica Montoya (Pictures) and Michelli Tavares (Pictures) under Shooto sanctioning, the efforts of promoters to get her fights have largely been unsuccessful. Beyond the aforementioned bouts, female gatekeepers Misaki Takimoto (Pictures) and Masako Yoshida (Pictures), both undersized for 115 pounds, have been the best promoters could muster. Fights with a 17-year-old Nadia van der Wel (Pictures) and a completely anonymous and undeserving Dah Le Chon are an unsettling exclamation point on the statement.
Takabayashi is a fantastic grappler. She has considerable no-gi accomplishments, including a submission win over Yasuko Mogi, a pioneer for Japanese females in BJJ. Takabayashi has strong trips and throws from the body clinch, and a well-rounded submission game. She can pass guard, take the back, work off the scramble, and she isn't afraid to rock back and play some footsies for a leglock.
However, that is just about all Takabayashi is. She has scant striking ability if any at all -- still a regrettable commonality amongst many females in MMA. Moreover, she is not a stranger to Fujii. The two met this past September in the finals of Smack Girl's Grappling Queen tournament, where Fujii won 2-0 on points. Takabayashi was good enough to not be victimized, though she could not generate any offense against "The Princess of Sambo."
In her more natural element, Takabayashi did not possess the abilities to pressure or threaten Fujii in any way. Now, in an MMA bout, she is further handicapped against an opponent who not only bests her at her own strengths but also is a far better natural athlete, blessed with superior speed, strength, stamina and so forth.
Furthermore, we're adding strikes to the mix here. Fujii isn't going to be mistaken for a Thai boxer, but her striking is crisp, competent, and she knows how to use it to set up takedowns. She'll also have the luxury of being able to punch and pound from top control in this bout, which will prove unfamiliar territory to Takabayashi.
For Takabayashi, facing Fujii in a grappling match may be bringing a knife to a swordfight, but now she's bringing that same shank to a gunfight. Look for Fujii to dominate the bout.
A submission is possible as ground-and-pound could present a threat Takabayashi isn't prepared for, but at the very least Fujii will win a commanding decision. It speaks volumes about Fujii that even in facing a very talented up-and-comer, it amounts to a walkover. The only suitable fight for Fujii now is a milestone showdown with Yuka Tsuji (Pictures), a bout that would serve to legitimize and galvanize female MMA.
To say that Shooto promoters have been largely unsuccessful in securing quality opponents for Megumi Fujii (Pictures) would be an understatement. In fact, one may not even really be able to say that Shooto promoters have done a decent job acquiring even competent competition for perhaps the sport's most sensational female competitor. However, to some extent, the entire blame can't be heaped upon the powers behind pro Shooto.
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While Fujii has had the opportunity to face and defeat highly regarded competition such as Erica Montoya (Pictures) and Michelli Tavares (Pictures) under Shooto sanctioning, the efforts of promoters to get her fights have largely been unsuccessful. Beyond the aforementioned bouts, female gatekeepers Misaki Takimoto (Pictures) and Masako Yoshida (Pictures), both undersized for 115 pounds, have been the best promoters could muster. Fights with a 17-year-old Nadia van der Wel (Pictures) and a completely anonymous and undeserving Dah Le Chon are an unsettling exclamation point on the statement.
Having said that, it is refreshing that Sustain has been able to
acquire one of the best up-and-comers at 115 pounds to take on
Megumi Fujii (Pictures) in ALIVE's Kyoko Takabayashi
(Pictures). A Smack Girl and Shooto
vet like Fujii, Takabayashi has posted an 8-1 mark in her young
career, and in her last two Shooto appearances has looked
sensational, running roughshod over Yuuko and the aforementioned
iron woman of female MMA, Masako Yoshida (Pictures).
Takabayashi is a fantastic grappler. She has considerable no-gi accomplishments, including a submission win over Yasuko Mogi, a pioneer for Japanese females in BJJ. Takabayashi has strong trips and throws from the body clinch, and a well-rounded submission game. She can pass guard, take the back, work off the scramble, and she isn't afraid to rock back and play some footsies for a leglock.
However, that is just about all Takabayashi is. She has scant striking ability if any at all -- still a regrettable commonality amongst many females in MMA. Moreover, she is not a stranger to Fujii. The two met this past September in the finals of Smack Girl's Grappling Queen tournament, where Fujii won 2-0 on points. Takabayashi was good enough to not be victimized, though she could not generate any offense against "The Princess of Sambo."
In her more natural element, Takabayashi did not possess the abilities to pressure or threaten Fujii in any way. Now, in an MMA bout, she is further handicapped against an opponent who not only bests her at her own strengths but also is a far better natural athlete, blessed with superior speed, strength, stamina and so forth.
Furthermore, we're adding strikes to the mix here. Fujii isn't going to be mistaken for a Thai boxer, but her striking is crisp, competent, and she knows how to use it to set up takedowns. She'll also have the luxury of being able to punch and pound from top control in this bout, which will prove unfamiliar territory to Takabayashi.
For Takabayashi, facing Fujii in a grappling match may be bringing a knife to a swordfight, but now she's bringing that same shank to a gunfight. Look for Fujii to dominate the bout.
A submission is possible as ground-and-pound could present a threat Takabayashi isn't prepared for, but at the very least Fujii will win a commanding decision. It speaks volumes about Fujii that even in facing a very talented up-and-comer, it amounts to a walkover. The only suitable fight for Fujii now is a milestone showdown with Yuka Tsuji (Pictures), a bout that would serve to legitimize and galvanize female MMA.
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