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Kana Watanabe

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Kana Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺華奈, Watanabe Kana, born August 21, 1988) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. She is competing in the Flyweight division of Bellator MMA. Kana Watanabe spent most of her career fighting in her native Japan, until she began fighting in Bellator MMA.

Kana Watanabe
Born渡辺華奈
(1988-08-21) August 21, 1988 (age 36)
Tokyo, Japan
Other namesToo macho YAWARA-chan, Soft Beast
ResidenceTokyo, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach66.0 in (168 cm)
StyleJudo
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamFighter's Flow
Rank  4th Dan Black Belt in Judo
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins13
By knockout3
By submission4
By decision6
Losses3
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
UniversityTokai University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Judo

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She started judo at the age of seven at Rinkai Juku. In his third year at Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen Shibuya Junior High School, he competed in the 63kg category at the National Junior High School Judo Tournament, but lost in the third round. In her first year at Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen Shibuya High School, she placed fifth at the National High School Championships, and in her second year she competed in the Kinwashi-ki competition, reaching the finals along with Nakamura Misato, a year her junior, but lost to Saitama Sakae High School, placing second. At the Inter High School Championships, she finished second in the individual competition, losing in the final to Wada Mami, a junior at Okatoyo High School, and third in the team competition. In the team competition at the National High School Championships, she played well with Nakamura and reached the final, but lost to Sanda Shosei High School, finishing second In her junior year, she won the Asian Junior Championships, but finished third at the All Japan Junior Championships.[1][2]

In 2007 she went on to Tokai University, where she won the All-Japan Junior Championships in her freshman year. When asked by fellow judo player Nozomi Hirai, two years her senior, why Watanabe was nicknamed Pato, she tricked them into believing for several years that her real name was half-white, "Kana Watanabe Patricia". In reality, she was only called Pato because she looked like a parrot named Patricia that a friend of hers had. In her junior year, she placed fifth at the Kodokan Cup and competed in the weight division in her senior year, but lost in the first round to Ryotokuji Gakuen staff member Mie Tanaka in the Tomoe nage. She placed third in the student weight division.[3][4]

In 2011, she became a member of JR East and took third place at the 2013 individual business championships. She then moved up to the 57kg weight class and contributed to the team's second place finish in the 2016 Jitsugyo team competition against Komatsu, defeating the previous year's Kodokan Cup winner, Ji Ishikawa, with a giai (a technique ari). He received the Outstanding Player Award on this occasion. At the Asia Open Taipei, she lost in the final to Eimi Kaneko of the Japan Self-Defense Forces Physical Education Academy, and finished second. She retired from judo and became a coach, but she felt that she couldn't continue to train athletes while still feeling like she hadn't done enough as an athlete, so after only three months, she quit as a coach. After that, she joined Fighter's Flow, which was run by Takao Ueda, a mixed martial artist she knew. At this time, she was described as a beautiful woman with a small face and a muscular body, but also flexible enough to perform leg openings and Y-balances. In 2017, she participated in KUNOICHI, a female version of SASUKE aired on TBS, twice in a row, both times achieving top results.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Mixed martial arts career

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Rizin / DEEP

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On December 3, 2017, in her mixed martial arts debut at DEEP Deep Jewels 18, she beat Hikari (Hikari Sato, Piroctetes Niigata) with an arm-hold crucifix, and appealed after the match to participate in RIZIN.[9] On December 29, 2017, she fought Shizuka Sugiyama at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round and won a 3-0 decision.[10]

On March 10, 2018, Kana Watanabe took part at Deep Jewels 19 event versus Yukari Nabe. The fight ended with draw. However, on June 09, 2018, she took a revenge at Deep Jewels 20 and won by Decision (Majority).[11] On August 26, 2018, she won the fight versus Asami Nakai at Deep - 85 Impact event by Submission (Armbar) in Round 1.[12] On December 31, 2018, she had a rematch against Shizuka Sugiyama at Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka! and won by KO in 11 seconds of the match.[13]

On March 08, 2019, Kana Watanabe won her fight versus Soo Min Kang at Deep Jewels 23 by TKO (Punches) in Round 1.[14] On April 21, 2019, she fought Justyna Haba at Rizin 15 and won by unanimous decision.[15][16] On October 22, 2019, she won the fight versus Hee Eun Kang at Deep Jewels 26 by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 1.[17] On December 29, 2019, she faced Ilara Joani at Bellator Japan's "Bellator x RIZIN" and won by TKO with back mount and pounding.[18] In a post-fight interview, she said, "Next year, if RIZIN can make a women's flyweight belt, I want to challenge for that belt, and I also want to challenge overseas." She also said "I want to challenge for the women's flyweight belt in RIZIN next year, and I also want to challenge overseas.[19]

Bellator MMA

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On December 10, 2020, it was announced that she had signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator.[20] On April 2, 2021, she made her U.S. debut at Bellator 255 against Alejandra Lara.[21] She won the bout via split decision.[22] Watanabe faced Liz Carmouche on June 25, 2021 at Bellator 261.[23] She lost the bout via TKO in the opening 35 seconds via a series of stand-up punches. It was her first loss in 12 career fights.[24]

Watanabe faced Denise Kielholtz on May 13, 2022 at Bellator 281.[25] She won the fight via a triangle choke submission in the second round.[26]

Watanabe faced Ilima-Lei Macfarlane on April 22, 2023, at Bellator 295.[27] She lost the close bout via split decision.[28]

Watanabe faced Veta Arteaga on July 30, 2023 at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2.[29] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[30]

PFL

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Watanabe debuted with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024 and won her bout against Shanna Young by unanimous decision.[31][32] Young missed weight, so she was fined a percentage of her purse and given a point deduction in the standings.[33]

Watanabe faced face Liz Carmouche on June 13, 2024 at PFL 4.[34][35] She lost the fight via armbar submission in the third round.[36][37]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
17 matches 13 wins 3 losses
By knockout 3 1
By submission 4 1
By decision 6 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 13–3–1 Liz Carmouche Submission (armbar) PFL 4 (2024) June 13, 2024 3 4:52 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 13–2–1 Shanna Young Decision (unanimous) PFL 1 (2024) April 4, 2024 3 5:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States Catchweight (128.6 lb) bout; Young missed weight.
Win 12–2–1 Veta Arteaga Decision (unanimous) Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 July 30, 2023 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 11–2–1 Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Decision (split) Bellator 295 April 22, 2023 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 11–1–1 Denise Kielholtz Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 281 May 13, 2022 2 3:03 London, England Kielholtz was deducted one point in round 2 due to illegal upkick.
Loss 10–1–1 Liz Carmouche TKO (punches) Bellator 261 June 25, 2021 1 0:35 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 10–0–1 Alejandra Lara Decision (split) Bellator 255 April 2, 2021 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 9–0–1 Ilara Joanne TKO (punches) Bellator 237 December 29, 2019 3 4:39 Saitama, Japan
Win 8–0–1 Hee Eun Kang Submission (rear-naked choke) Deep Jewels 26 October 22, 2019 1 1:48 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–0–1 Justyna Haba Decision (unanimous) Rizin 15 April 21, 2019 3 5:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win 6–0–1 Soo Min Kang TKO (punches) Deep Jewels 23 March 8, 2019 1 4:33 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–0–1 Shizuka Sugiyama TKO (punch) Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka! December 31, 2018 1 0:11 Saitama, Japan
Win 4–0–1 Asami Nakai Submission (armbar) Deep: 85 Impact August 26, 2018 1 4:20 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0–1 Yukari Nabe Decision (majority) Deep Jewels 20 June 9, 2018 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 2–0–1 Yukari Nabe Draw (majority) Deep Jewels 19 March 10, 2018 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–0 Shizuka Sugiyama Decision (unanimous) Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round December 29, 2017 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 1–0 Hikari Sato Technical Submission (armbar) Deep Jewels 18 December 2, 2017 2 1:32 Tokyo, Japan Flyweight debut.

[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ｢柔道全日本強化選手名鑑　2010｣近代柔道 ベースボールマガジン社、2010年4月号
  2. ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信！, eFight 【イーファイト】. "渡辺華奈、五輪柔道で発奮「MMAで王者になる！」ベラトールのコンタクトレンズ禁止に復帰へレーシック手術も検討". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  3. ^ a b ｢りれーとーく　219｣近代柔道　ベースボールマガジン社、2016年5月号
  4. ^ a b ｢りれーとーく　220｣近代柔道　ベースボールマガジン社、2016年6月号
  5. ^ 元柔道エリートの美人格闘家、“戦力外通告”が転機に「まだ選手としてやりきっていない」　岩手日報　2018年7月27日
  6. ^ 【DEEP JEWELS】女子柔道の大物が初参戦
  7. ^ 【DEEP JEWELS】柔道出身・渡辺華奈、デビュー戦に自信「私の方が強い」
  8. ^ PLAYER（出場選手）｜TBSテレビ：KUNOICHI
  9. ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信！, eFight 【イーファイト】. "【DEEP JEWELS】デビュー戦勝利の渡辺華奈、年末RIZINも「自信ある」". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  10. ^ "【試合結果】杉山 しずか vs 渡辺 華奈 スペシャルワンマッチ". RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GP 2017 特設サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  11. ^ "筋肉美女柔道家・渡辺華奈、連勝阻んだ奈部ゆかりとの再戦を制し涙 | ニュース | Deview-デビュー". Deview. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  12. ^ "【ＤＥＥＰ】"マッチョ美女"渡辺華奈、父の誕生日を腕十字固めで飾る". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  13. ^ "渡辺華奈が杉山しずかを秒殺KOで返り討ち【12・31 RIZIN】 | TOKYO HEADLINE" (in Japanese). 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  14. ^ "【ＤＥＥＰ ＪＥＷＥＬＳ】渡辺華奈が"日韓対決"に圧勝！４月のＲＩＺＩＮ出場アピール". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2019-03-09. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  15. ^ ""柔の美獣"渡辺華奈が現役軍人に圧勝！「RIZINのフライ級を引っ張る存在になりたいのでベルトを作って」". バトル・ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  16. ^ "腹筋美女・渡辺華奈が顔面血だるまで現役軍人に激勝/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  17. ^ ""マッチョすぎるＹＡＷＡＲＡちゃん"渡辺華奈、宣言通り一本勝ち 無敗記録を伸ばしＲＩＺＩＮアピール「大みそか試合したいな」". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  18. ^ "渡辺華奈、ＴＫＯで１０戦無敗記録更新「ＲＩＺＩＮ代表として勝てて良かった」…ＢＥＬＬＡＴＯＲ ＪＡＰＡＮ". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  19. ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信！, eFight 【イーファイト】. "【Bellator×RIZIN】渡辺華奈「RIZINのベルトも欲しいけど、海外にも出たい」＝試合後インタビュー". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  20. ^ 格闘技情報を毎日配信！, eFight 【イーファイト】. "渡辺華奈が米ベラトールと契約「昨年RIZIN対抗戦での勝利で、私の目を引いた」コーカー代表". eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  21. ^ King, Nolan (1 March 2021). "Bellator 255 adds Kana Watanabe vs. Alejandra Lara to lineup". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jay (2 April 2021). "Bellator 255 Results: Third Round Earns Kana Watanabe Decision Against Game Alejandra Lara". Cageside Press. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Liz Carmouche vs. Kana Watanabe co-headines Bellator 261 on June 25". MMA Junkie. 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  24. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-06-25). "Bellator 261: Liz Carmouche Mauls Kana Watanabe to Earn Title Shot". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  25. ^ Youngs, Jose (2022-01-25). "Denise Kielholtz vs. Kana Watanabe, Daniel Weichel vs. Robert Whiteford set for Bellator London". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  26. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-05-13). "Bellator 281: Kana Watanabe Survives Illegal Kick, Submits Denise Kielholtz". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  27. ^ Christian Shimabuku (2023-02-15). "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to face Kana Watanabe at Bellator 295". KHON2. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  28. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-23). "Bellator 295: Razor-Thin Decision Sees Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Claim Win Over Kana Watanabe". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  29. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-27). "Kai Asakura vs. Juan Archuleta, Mikuru Asakura vs. Vugar Karamov Announced for Bellator X RIZIN 2". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  30. ^ "【Bellator】ライト級WGPでパトリッキー・ピットブルがサトシをTKO「朝倉未来に感謝」、フライ級王座戦・堀口vs.神龍はノーコンテストに。渡辺華奈がアルテイガに辛勝。..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  31. ^ Staff (2024-04-04). "2024 PFL 1: Delija vs. Moldavsky Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  32. ^ Sherdog.com. "2024 PFL 1 Regular Season Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  33. ^ Sherdog.com. "PFL 1 Weigh-in Results: Ante Delija, Valentin Moldavsky Official for Main Event". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  34. ^ "2024 PFL 4 loses fight days out from event". MMA Junkie. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  35. ^ "【PFL】渡辺華奈、"ギリシャ彫刻"マッスルで計量パス！因縁カムーシュとバチバチ睨み合い「記憶の上書きを」=6.14米". efight.jp (in Japanese). 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  36. ^ "2024 PFL 4 video: Liz Carmouche beats buzzer with armbar of Kana Watanabe, clinches playoffs". yahoo.com. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  37. ^ "【PFL】渡辺華奈、試合終了直前の一本負け！因縁カムーシュの腕十字にタップ". efight.jp (in Japanese). 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  38. ^ "Kana Watanabe". Sherdog.
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