Prepare to witness the astonishing submissions and fighting spirit of Megumi Fujii, a true legend in the world of women’s mixed martial arts (MMA).
Born on April 26th, 1974, in Ibara, Okayama, Japan, Fujii has left a permanent mark on the sport with her exceptional grappling abilities, relentless determination, and remarkable finishes.
Standing at 5’3″ tall and fighting in the strawweight division, Fujii has showcased her talents as a master of various martial arts disciplines, including Judo, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, and Shootfighting.
Throughout her MMA career, which spanned from 2004 to 2013, Fujii accumulated an impressive record of 26 wins and 3 losses. The majority of her victories came by way of submission (19 of them to be exact), demonstrating her dominance on the ground.
As a black belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Fujii utilised her expertise to control and submit her opponents with finesse. She’s a veritable master of submissions and ground grappling.
Known by her nickname “Mega Megu,” Fujii possessed a southpaw stance and fought out of the Abe Ani Combat Club in Tokyo, Japan. Her fighting style and technical brilliance made her a force to be reckoned with in the strawweight division. Beyond her MMA accomplishments, Fujii also achieved notable success in other combat sports, earning medals in women’s submission wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Sambo.
Often considered one of the best (if not THE best) pound-for-pound woman fighter of all time. Megumi Fujii is a legendary fighter who is known for finishing lots of her fights quickly with submissions, a lot of them finishing in the first round! I think given the talent of Megumi Fujii – we could have easily seen her become a champion in the UFC if she ever stepped into their octagon.
Each fight represents a testament to her grappling prowess, tenacity, and pursuit of victory. Also, if you love armbars I am sure you will love this article. So, without further ado, let’s explore the thrilling finishes that have solidified Megumi Fujii as one of the greatest female fighters in the history of the sport.
In this article, we will delve into Fujii’s exceptional skills that have left an everlasting impact on the combat landscape in Megumi Fujii’s Top 5 MMA Finishes!
5. Vs. Lisa Ward II – Bellator 31 (Sept. 30, 2010)
Entering this fight, Ward faced a daunting challenge, coming off a loss to an armbar. The odds seemed stacked against her as she stepped into the cage against arguably the greatest female submission artist MMA has ever witnessed, who held the title of the world’s best at that time.
Right from the opening bell, Fujii showcased her superb angling and footwork, leaving Ward guessing and struggling to find her range.
At 4:31 of the round, Fujii unleashed a powerful one-two combo, landing with precision, followed by a swift hook combo. It was a statement of intent from Fujii, setting the tone for the fight. The sight of blood on Ward’s face only fuelled Fujii’s determination.
In a captivating grappling exchange, the fighters found themselves pressed against the cage.
Displaying her grappling prowess, Fujii expertly tripped and tackled Ward to the canvas, trapping her arm with her legs against the cage while securing a tight grip on her arm. With flawless technique, Fujii pushed Ward’s head down, creating the perfect opportunity to execute her signature move.
With graceful execution, Fujii transitioned seamlessly into an armbar against the cage, demonstrating her mastery of the submission game. The crowd held its breath as the clock ticked, and at 1:39, Ward had no choice but to tap, succumbing to Fujii’s relentless pressure and precision.
It was a dazzling performance by Fujii, showcasing her dominance and solidifying her reputation as one of the most formidable submission artists in the world of MMA.
This was a spectacular victory, reaffirming Fujii’s status as a force to be reckoned with in the sport and still, in her response after the fight she remained very humble, and calm gaining more respect points from her fans.
4. Vs. Cindy Hales – Smackgirl: World ReMix (Feb. 14, 2008)
Fujii fearlessly charges into the fight for a takedown, displaying her relentless aggression. However Cindy Hales’ turns it into an early attempt at a guillotine.
Fujii swiftly manoeuvres after they both fall to the ground, rotating her body at a 90-degree angle to escape the headlock. The referee intervenes, resetting the fighters. With precision, Fujii lands a calculated body kick, patiently waiting for the opportune moment.
In an impressive display of resilience, Cindy delivers a powerful knee strike from the clinch, followed by a low kick. It’s clear she won’t be taken lightly. However, Fujii seizes an opening, catching Cindy’s leg and initiating a clinch.
The action takes a precarious turn as they come dangerously close to falling out of the old-style boxing ring serving as their arena.
After some intense clinch work, the referee separates the fighters once more, and Fujii finds herself facing a challenging situation.
Cindy manages to catch Fujii’s kick, causing Fujii to gracefully drop to the ground, utilising her hips to trip Cindy and secure a grip on her leg, aiming for a knee bar. However, the round concludes before Fujii can complete her submission attempt.
As round 2 commences, Fujii wastes no time, immediately engaging in a clinch. She delivers a powerful knee strike before springing up with spectacular agility, latching onto Cindy’s arm.
Utilizing her strength, Fujii applies an arm bar with precision, ultimately sealing the victory. It’s a truly magnificent finish that showcases Fujii’s comparatively rare skills.
Fujii’s determination and forensic techniques culminate in a breathtaking conclusion to the fight. Her ability to seize opportunities and execute submissions with ease and power is a testament to her greatness as a fighter.
3. Vs. Carla Esparza – Bellator 24 (Aug. 12, 2010)
This fight kicked off with Fujii displaying her striking prowess, launching body kicks while maintaining good spacing.
In an entertaining moment at 4:10 on the clock, Fujii caught Esparza’s leg, causing her to hop towards the cage, but Esparza managed to escape the clinch. It was clear that Carla was determined to keep the fight standing, but Fujii had other plans in mind.
With 3:36 remaining, Fujii went for a thunderous double-leg takedown, but Esparza showcased her agility with a slick sprawl, successfully defending the takedown attempt.
Undeterred, Fujii attempted a forward roll at 3:36, hoping to catch Esparza off guard with a leg grab, but Esparza’s defensive skills were on point, denying Fujii’s creative move. But the action didn’t stop there!
At 3:10, Fujii demonstrated her wrestling techniques, executing a solid double-leg takedown and opting to showcase her ground game. Seizing a waist clinch, Fujii pressed Esparza against the cage, delivering a series of well-placed knees.
The crowd watched with anticipation as Fujii attempted a daring judo throw, aiming to launch Esparza into the air, but to everyone’s surprise, Esparza showed tremendous balance, impressively maintaining her footing at a peculiar angle.
At 2:01, Fujii shifted her strategy, clinching Esparza against the cage and skilfully hooking her foot around Esparza’s ankle, executing a trip takedown. The crowd gasped as Fujii swiftly transitioned, securing Esparza’s leg for a potential leg lock!
Esparza displayed remarkable resilience, nearly slipping out of the submission, but Fujii’s lightning-fast reflexes and judo experience allowed her to regain control, delivering powerful knees to Esparza’s thighs. The referee intervened, standing them up momentarily, providing a brief respite for both fighters.
Esparza deserves immense credit for her resilience and determination. With only a few seconds left on the clock in the round, she courageously went for a double-leg takedown, coming close to securing it. However, Fujii showcased her agility by rolling and grabbing Esparza’s arm from her back, but the bell rang, signalling the end of the round and leaving the audience craving more action!
The second round began cautiously, with both fighters showing respect. However, Esparza couldn’t resist the urge to engage and charged forward, throwing a flurry of punches, looking to catch Fujii off guard.
Fujii, however, had a counter in mind. With precise timing, she quickly went for a single-leg takedown at 0:57 on the clock, resulting in a dynamic scramble on the mat.
Fujii didn’t stop there, she showed her daring side, attempting a rolling knee bar that captivated the crowd. The atmosphere was electric as she came agonizingly close to executing it.
Then, with determination, Fujii transitioned to a belly-down position, committing fully to an armbar submission. The crowd erupted with excitement at 0:57 on the clock, witnessing the culmination of Fujii’s skill and strategy! The victory came in the form of an armbar (known in judo as a Juji Gatame), securing the win in the second round!
2. Vs. Karla Benitez – Fight for Japan (Dec. 31, 2011)
In this bout stepping into the cage as a legend, Fujii demonstrated her striking skills, throwing out powerful strikes to test her opponent’s defences.
Soon into round one, her double-leg takedown attempt is skilfully defended by her opponent, denying Fujii’s initial attack.
Undeterred, Fujii quickly adapts, utilizing her agility and instincts to execute a breathtaking move. With lightning-fast footwork, Fujii positions herself expertly, placing one leg behind her opponent’s back leg and crossing the other across Benitez’s upper body.
It’s a mesmerizing display of technique and precision as she swiftly sweeps her opponent off their feet. The crowd gasps in awe at the seamless execution and the sheer beauty of the manoeuvre.
Now towering over her downed opponent, Fujii capitalizes on the advantageous position. Her ground-and-pound strikes rain down with calculated accuracy, showcasing her dominance in the grappling domain. Evolving her strategy seamlessly, she transitions with grace into an armbar, an emblem of her technical mastery.
With impeccable timing and a profound understanding of leverage, Fujii secures her opponent’s arm, accurately adjusting her position to maximize the pressure. As she rolls over, flipping her opponent over and executing the submission with flawless fluidity, the crowd erupts with admiration for the artistry unfolding before their eyes. She got the tap at 1:15 with an armbar in the first round.
In this, her 25th career win, Fujii once again demonstrated her unrivalled skill and technical brilliance.
Even in defeat, Fujii’s opponent acknowledges the greatness she faces, embracing Fujii with a sense of respect and awe. Megumi Fujii’s legacy as a formidable force in the world of MMA is indisputable, leaving fans and opponents alike captivated by her extraordinary abilities.
1. Vs. Serin Murray – Smackgirl: Legend of Extreme Women (Nov. 29, 2006)
This fight is difficult to watch, due to the intense and brutal nature of the submission finish.
In a swift and decisive move, Fujii boldly dove in, seizing Serin Murray’s leg and transitioned into a lightning-fast knee bar. With remarkable technique and precision, she applied a toe hold, leading to the unfortunate and painful outcome of Serin’s ankle being broken.
While the finish may be brutal, there is a certain beauty in Fujii’s execution. Her speed, accuracy, and ability to seize the opportunity demonstrated her mastery of submission techniques. It’s a testament to Fujii’s skill and determination that she was able to secure such a devastating victory.
Though it may be difficult to witness, this finish exemplifies the raw power and effectiveness of Fujii’s grappling arsenal. It serves as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sport and the incredible athleticism and skill possessed by fighters like Fujii.
These five finishes represent only a fraction of Megumi Fujii’s remarkable career. Her expertise in grappling and her unyielding spirit have solidified her as a true legend in the world of women’s MMA.
Fujii’s contributions to the sport will continue to inspire future generations of fighters, and her legacy will forever be etched in the annals of mixed martial arts history.
