Hiroko Yamanaka (山中 裕子, Yamanaka Hiroko), more commonly known simply as Hiroko (styled in capitals) and nicknamed Incomplete Queen (未完の女王, mikan no joō) or Cat's Eye, is a retired Japanese female mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. She fought for Invicta FC, Strikeforce and Jewels, and was the final Smackgirl Open Weight Champion. Yamanaka announced her retirement on August 6, 2013 .[1][2][3]
Hiroko Yamanaka | |
---|---|
Born | Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan | October 24, 1978
Other names | Hiroko Cat's Eye Incomplete Queen |
Nationality | Japanese |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
Weight | 143 lb (65 kg) |
Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
Style | Muay Thai, Shootboxing, Submission Grappling |
Fighting out of | Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan |
Team | B CREW Master Japan |
Trainer | Kuniyoshi Hironaka |
Years active | 2006-2013 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 16 |
Wins | 12 |
By knockout | 2 |
By submission | 2 |
By decision | 8 |
Losses | 3 |
By submission | 1 |
By decision | 2 |
No contests | 1 |
Other information | |
Website | Official blog |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: August 6, 2013 |
Early life
editYamanaka was born on Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan.[4][5] Through a personal friend's suggestion, Yamanaka initially took on mixed martial arts for health and fitness purposes only. After time, she found the sport of MMA agreed with her physicality and became more involved, fighting her first official match in May 2006.
October 24, 1978 inMixed martial arts career
editHer first MMA fight was a draw against Mariko Fujimoto in a match with Smackgirl amateur rules on May 14, 2006 at S-Keep: Eggs Fight 4.[6]
Her next fight was in the Super Gals Mix Cup Open Weight Tournament 1st Round against Rie Murakami, whom Yamanaka defeated by unanimous decision on November 29, 2006[7] This was her professional debut.[4]
at Smackgirl: Legend of Extreme Women.Yamanaka would go on to win the Super Gals Mix Cup Open Weight Tournament by defeating Yuiga by unanimous decision on March 11, 2007[8] and Michiko Takeda by split decision on May 19, 2007 .[9]
On September 6, 2007Yoko Takahashi by unanimous decision and won the Smackgirl Open Weight Championship, becoming the fourth and final title holder.[10] Yamanaka was defeated for the first time in a non-title bout as part of the Open Weight World ReMix tournament by Hitomi Akano, who submitted Yamanaka with an armbar on April 25, 2008 at Smackgirl: World ReMix 2008 Second Round.[11][12][13][14] This was Yamanaka's last fight in Smackgirl since the promotion folded in the following months.
at Smackgirl: Queens' Hottest Summer, Yamanaka defeated championYamanaka made her debut in the Jewels promotion on November 16, 2008Jewels 1st Ring.[15][16][17]
, defeating Mayumi Aoki by unanimous decision atAt Jewels 2nd Ring on February 4, 2009 , Yamanaka once again faced Michiko Takeda and defeated her for the second time; this time by TKO at 3:25 of the second round.[18] On May 16, 2009 , Yamanaka defeated Josh Barnett's student Shannon Hooper by unanimous decision during the event Jewels 3rd Ring.[19][20]
Yamanaka would avenge her only loss at Jewels 7th Ring when she defeated Hitomi Akano by split decision on March 19, 2010 .[21][22] Unlike their first open-weight match, this match was contracted at 143 lb (65 kg) and, for the first time in her career, Yamanaka had to cut weight;[23] cutting more than 20 lbs.[22] On May 23, 2010 , Yamanaka defeated Atsuko Emoto by unanimous decision at Jewels 8th Ring.[24][25] Emoto announced her retirement after the fight.
Debuting with the Shoot boxing promotion, Yamanaka won by forearm choke submission against Australian Muay Thai kickboxing champion Sandy Furner on August 29, 2010 in an MMA bout at Shoot Boxing: Girls S-Cup 2010.[26][27] Yamanaka was originally set to face Olympic freestyle wrestling Bronze medal winner Randi Miller,[28] but Miller was forced to withdraw due to injury.[29]
On December 3, 2010Jewels 11th Ring on December 17.[30] However, the fight was later cancelled.[31] Yamanaka faced Molly Helsel instead[32] and defeated Helsel by TKO in the second round.[33][34]
, Yamanaka was announced as facing Miller atYamanaka faced Bolormaa "Esui" Erdenebileg at Jewels 15th Ring on July 9, 2011 .[35][36] She defeated Esui by armbar submission in the second round.[37][38]
On September 23, 2011, Strikeforce announced that Yamanaka would debut for the promotion against featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. The fight took place at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal on December 17, 2011 .[39] Yamanaka lost the bout via TKO 16 seconds into the first round.[40] On January 6, 2012, the bout's result was changed to a no decision due to Cyborg having tested positive for anabolic steroids.[41]
Yamanaka faced Germaine de Randamie at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman on August 18, 2012 in San Diego, California.[42] She was defeated by unanimous decision.[43][44]
Yamanaka made her Invicta Fighting Championships debut against Ediane Gomes at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt on January 5, 2013 .[45][46] She was defeated by unanimous decision.[47][48]
On August 6, 2013, Yamanaka announced her retirement on her official blog, thanking her fans for their support and saying she would like to continue to support her team, Master Japan, in the future.[49]
Submission grappling
editYamanaka made her debut in submission wrestling in the 2006 Smackgirl Grappling Queen Tournament, being defeated by American fighter Roxanne Modafferi by decision.[50][51] She fought two more times on August 31, 2008 at Gi grappling 2008, first winning against Akiko Naito and then losing against Sayaka Shioda.[52]
Shoot boxing career
editYamanaka debuted in Shoot boxing on August 23, 2009[53][54][55]
at the 2009 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. She faced Mayumi "Super Benkei" Aoki, whom Yamanaka had previously defeated in MMA, and won the fight by TKO in round one.On August 19, 2011Megumi Yabushita in a shoot boxing match at the 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. She won the fight by TKO (doctor stoppage) after Yabushita suffered a knee injury in round three.[56][57]
, Yamanaka facedMixed martial arts record
edit16 matches | 12 wins | 3 losses |
By knockout | 2 | 0 |
By submission | 2 | 1 |
By decision | 8 | 2 |
No contests | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 12-3 (1) | Ediane Gomes | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt | January 5, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
Loss | 12-2 (1) | Germaine de Randamie | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman | August 18, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
NC | 12-1 (1) | Cris Cyborg | No Contest (overturned by CSAC) | Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal | December 17, 2011 | 1 | 0:16 | San Diego, California, United States | For the Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Championship. Original loss via TKO; result overturned after Cyborg tested positive for Stanozolol. |
Win | 12-1 | Esui | Submission (armbar) | Jewels 15th Ring | July 9, 2011 | 2 | 2:20 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 11-1 | Molly Helsel | TKO (punches) | Jewels 11th Ring | December 17, 2010 | 2 | 3:12 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 10-1 | Sandy Furner | Submission (forearm choke) | Shoot Boxing: Girls S-Cup 2010 | August 29, 2010 | 1 | 1:45 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 9-1 | Atsuko Emoto | Decision (unanimous) | Jewels 8th Ring | May 23, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 8-1 | Hitomi Akano | Decision (split) | Jewels 7th Ring | March 19, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 7-1 | Shannon Hooper | Decision (unanimous) | Jewels 3rd Ring | May 16, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 6-1 | Michiko Takeda | TKO (punches) | Jewels 2nd Ring | February 4, 2009 | 2 | 3:25 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 5-1 | Mayumi Aoki | Decision (unanimous) | Jewels 1st Ring | November 16, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 4-1 | Hitomi Akano | Submission (armbar) | Smackgirl: World ReMix 2008 Second Round | April 25, 2008 | 2 | 3:10 | Tokyo, Japan | World ReMix Tournament 2008 Open Weight semi-final |
Win | 4-0 | Yoko Takahashi | Decision (unanimous) | Smackgirl: Queens' Hottest Summer | September 6, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Won Smackgirl Open Weight Championship |
Win | 3-0 | Michiko Takeda | Decision (split) | Smackgirl: The Queen Said The USA Is Strongest | May 19, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Super Gals Mix Cup Open Weight Tournament final |
Win | 2-0 | Yuiga | Decision (unanimous) | Smackgirl: Will The Queen Paint The Shinjuku Skies Red? | March 11, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Super Gals Mix Cup Open Weight Tournament semi-final |
Win | 1-0 | Rie Murakami | Decision (unanimous) | Smackgirl: Legend of Extreme Women | November 29, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Super Gals Mix Cup Open Weight Tournament quarterfinal |
Submission grappling
edit3 Fights, 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
Loss | 1-2-0 | Sayaka Shioda | Submission (Armbar) | Gi grappling 2008 | August 31, 2008 | 1 | 1:24 | Tokyo, Japan | Queen Tournament expert open-weight semifinals |
Win | 1-1-0 | Akiko Naito | Submission (Armbar) | Gi grappling 2008 | July 5, 2008 | 1 | 0:46 | Tokyo, Japan | Queen Tournament expert open-weight second round |
Loss | 0-1-0 | Roxanne Modafferi | Decision (1-0) | Smackgirl Grappling Queen Tournament 2006 | July 23, 2006 | 1 | 7:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Open Weight Grappling Tournament first round |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest
Shoot boxing record
edit2 Fights, 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Draws | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
Win | 2-0-0 | Megumi Yabushita | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup | August 19, 2011 | 3 | 0:03 | Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 1-0-0 | Mayumi Aoki | TKO (Punches) | Shoot Boxing Girls Tournament 2009 | August 23, 2009 | 1 | 0:57 | Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest
Championships and accomplishments
edit- Smackgirl Open Weight Champion
- Super Gals Mix Cup Open Weight Tournament winner
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jewett, Charles (2013-08-05). "Hiroko Yamanaka Announces Retirement". News. United States: AsianMMA.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2013-08-06). "Hiroko Yamanaka Confirms Retirement From Mixed Martial Arts". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
- ^ Yamanaka, Hiroko (2013-08-06). ありがとうございました (in Japanese). Japan: Hiroko Yamanaka's official blog. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
- ^ a b "Hiroko" (in Japanese). Japan: Jewels. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ スタッフ紹介 [Staff introduction] (in Japanese). Japan: shu fitness & sports boxing gym. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "(結果) [S-KEEP] 5.14 東京・洗足:アマ大会にスマックが試合提供" (in Japanese). Japan: Bout Review. 2006-05-14. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ (レポ&写真) [スマック] 11.29 後楽園:藤井秒殺勝利。大室、吉田下す (in Japanese). Japan: Bout Review. 2006-11-29. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ 【スマックガール・夜の部】女王しなしさとこが薄氷の王座初防衛! (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ 【スマックガール夜の部】高橋が第3代無差別級女王に! 赤野はパウンドありルールで一本勝ち (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2007-05-19. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ Hirata, Shu (2008-04-24). "SMACK GIRL - 04/25/2008: 'Fujii, Tavarez, Akano, and Marquez Advance to the Finals!'". ADCC News. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "Fujii, Tavares, Akano, Marquez in World REMIX Tournament finals". 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "【スマックガール】バースデーイブのフジメグが一本勝ちで決勝へ!赤野もHIROKOに一本勝ち" (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "11/16 JEWELS - Results". Japan-mma.com. 2008-11-16. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ Endow, Wesley (2008-11-16). "Ishioka, 'Mega Megu' Prevail at Jewels Debut". USA: Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2008-11-16). "Jewels: "First Ring" Results". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2009-02-04). "Jewels: "Second Ring" Results". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Loiseleur, Tony (2009-05-16). "Jewels 3rd Ring: Yamanaka Outpoints Hooper". USA: Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2009-05-16). "Jewels: "Third Ring" Results". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-03-19). "Jewels: "Seventh Ring" Results". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ a b Hirata, Shu (2010-03-26). "JEWELS 7 - 03/19/2010: HIROKO Edges Out Akano - Full Results!". ADCC News. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ Hirata, Shu (2010-02-28). "JEWELS - 03/19/2010: Once Again, Hitomi Akano vs. HIROKO". ADCC News. Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-05-23). "Jewels: "Eighth Ring" Results". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Herbertson, Daniel (2010-05-23). "Saori Ishioka, Hiroko Yamanaka Victorious at Jewels". USA: MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-08-29). "RENA Wins 2010 Girls S-Cup, Hiroko Submits Furner". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Coffeen, Fraser (2010-08-30). "Rena Wins Shootboxing's Girls S-Cup 2010". Head Kick Legend. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-08-16). "Hiroko Yamanaka vs Randi Miller On August 29th". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-08-27). "Hiroko Yamanaka Now Set To Face Sandy Furner". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-12-03). "Yamanaka vs Miller Rebooked For Jewels: "Eleventh Ring"". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-12-06). "Saori Ishioka To Face Yuko Oya At Jewels: "Eleventh Ring"". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-12-11). "Yamanaka Now To Face Helsel At Jewels: "Eleventh Ring"". Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ Herbertson, Daniel (2010-12-17). "Megumi Fujii Pupil Ayaka Hamazaki Captures Jewels Lightweight GP". USA: MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2010-12-17). "Jewels: "Eleventh Ring" Live Play-By-Play & Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
- ^ "【ジュエルス】7・9ヴァルキリー女王V.V Meiが参戦!ハム・ソヒと激突". News (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2011-06-06). "Three Big Fights Announced For Jewels: "15th Ring" Card". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ^ 【ジュエルス】2大女王強し!辻結花が石岡沙織を、藤井惠が長野美香を撃退. Results (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2011-07-09). "Jewels: "15th Ring" Live Play-By-Play & Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2011-09-23). "Cris Cyborg To Face Hiroko Yamanaka In Strikeforce Return". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2011-12-17). "Strikeforce: "Melendez vs Masvidal" Play-By-Play & Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- ^ "CSAC: Strikeforce champ Cris 'Cyborg' Santos tests positive for anabolic steroid". News. United States: MMAjunkie.com. 2012-01-06. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2012-07-13). "Hiroko Yamanaka vs Germaine De Randamie Set For August 18". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2012-08-18). "Ronda Rousey Submits Sarah Kaufman, Retains Strikeforce Title". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
- ^ Knapp, Brian (2012-08-18). "Strikeforce Prelims: Miesha Tate Armbar Submits Julie Kedzie". News. United States: Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
- ^ Stein, Christian; Erickson, Matt (2012-10-27). "Ediane Gomes signs new deal, expects to meet Hiroko Yamanaka at Invicta FC 4". News. United States: MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2012-11-23). "D'Alelio vs Nunes, Gomes vs Yamanaka Official For Invicta FC 4". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2013-01-05). "Invicta FC 4 Results: Carla Esparza Wins Strawweight Title". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ^ MMAjunkie.com Staff (2013-01-05). "Invicta FC 4 results: Esparza outlasts Hyatt for belt, Davis chokes out Baszler". News. United States: MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ^ "Thank You Very Much". Hiroko Official Blog.
- ^ "Megumi Fujii cleans up at July 23 Smackgirl show". 2006-07-24. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "SMACKGIRL GRAPPRING QUEEN TOURNAMENT 2006" (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2006-07-23. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "【Giグラップリング】ADCC世界王者の塩田さやかが二冠達成!次戦はサンボ世界選手権" (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2008-08-31. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ "8/23 ShootBoxing Female S-Cup - RESULTS". japan-mma.com. 2009-08-23. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ "『Girls S-cup』 大会速報" (in Japanese). Japan: Shoot boxing. Archived from the original on 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Avalos, Rafael (2009-08-25). "Resultados – SHOOTBOXING Girls S-Cup 2009" (in Spanish). USA: MMA Sportcenter. Archived from the original on 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ Sargent, Robert (2011-08-19). "Erika Kamimura Wins 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- ^ 【シュートボクシング】女子立ち技最強は神村エリカ!ハム・ソヒに逆転勝利. Results (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
External links
edit- Hiroko Yamanaka Awakening Profile
- Professional MMA record for Hiroko Yamanaka from Sherdog
- Profile at Fightergirls.com
- Jewels profile (in Japanese)
- Official blog (in Japanese)
- Official blog (old) (Internet Archive) (in Japanese)
- Official Strikeforce Fighter Profile