, occasionally nicknamed and , is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

-born

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

female

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

. She previously fought in the MMA promotion

Jewels A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, semiprecious stone, or simply gem) is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut or polished, is used to make jewellery, jewelry or other adornments. Certain Rock (geology), rocks (such ...

and now competes for

Deep Deep or The Deep may refer to: Places United States * Deep Creek (Appomattox River tributary), Virginia * Deep Creek (Great Salt Lake), Idaho and Utah * Deep Creek (Mahantango Creek tributary), Pennsylvania * Deep Creek (Mojave River tributary ...

Background

Sugiyama was born on in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

, United States. Sugiyama has an older brother. She graduated from the sports faculty of the

Tokai University is a private non-sectarian higher education institution located in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded by Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae. It was accredited under Japan's old educational system in 1946 and under the new system in 1950. In 2008, Tokai Uni ...

. While in the Tokai University, she was first introduced to the Karate-Do Zendokai association and began studying

karate (; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ), also , is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tī'' in Okinawan) un ...

at 18 years old. She got her black belt in Karate in 2009. Sugiyama participated in the Japan Open 2007 Vale Tudo Real Fighting Karate-do Championship Series, placing second in the general category for women, being defeated by

Saori Ishioka is a Japanese female mixed martial artist, kickboxer and karateka. She has participated in MMA promotions Smackgirl and Jewels. Her nickname is Shooting Star. Background Ishioka was born on in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. She started judo duri ...

. In 2008, she was the winner of the Japan Open 2008 Vale Tudo Real Fighting Karate-do Championship Series 57 kg. She would repeat this feat in 2009. Shortly before her professional debut in MMA, she had a grappling match and was defeated by Hitomi Sakamoto.

Mixed martial arts career

JEWELS

She debuted on at '' Jewels 1st Ring'', defeating Harumi with a

rear naked choke The rear naked choke (RNC), also known as hadaka jime (裸絞) in Judo and "lion killer choke (Mata Leão)" in BJJ, is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. The word ''naked'' in this context suggests that, unlike other stra ...

submission Deference (also called submission or passivity) is the condition of submitting to the espoused, legitimate influence of one's superior or superiors. Deference implies a yielding or submitting to the judgment of a recognized superior, out of re ...

. She would win her next fight against Shiho by TKO on . At '' Jewels 3rd Ring'' on , Sugiyama defeated Norwegian fighter Celine Haga by unanimous decision. In another dominant performance, Sugiyama defeated Mika Harigai by unanimous decision on . Making her debut with the

Shoot boxing , commonly written as Shootboxing, is a combat sport. Shoot boxing is also a stand-up fighting promotion company based in Tokyo, Japan. The organization was founded by former kickboxer Caesar Takeshi in 1985. Shootboxing, the combat sport, ...

promotion, Sugiyama once again faced Hitomi Sakamoto, who had defeated Sugiyama in a grappling match. This time, Sugiyama defeated Sakamoto by decision. Sugiyama's first loss came against

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...

fighter Alexandra Sanchez in the opening round of the 2009 Jewels Rough Stone Grand Prix 60 kg on . Sugiyama rebounded back with a unanimous decision victory over Yukiko Ozeki at '' Jewels 6th Ring'' on . At ''

Jewels 7th Ring ''Jewels 7th Ring'' was a mixed martial arts (MMA) event hosted by MMA promotion Jewels. It was held on at Shinjuku Face in Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan. Background Jewels events for 2010 were announced in . On , Jewels announced the first four figh ...

'' on , Miki Morifuji defeated Sugiyama by unanimous decision. Sugiyama was announced for ''

Jewels 9th Ring ''Jewels 9th Ring'' was a mixed martial arts (MMA) event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Shinjuku Face in Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan. Background On , Jewels announced that the event would hold the first round of the Jewels ...

'' in a shoot boxing match against

Mongolia Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south and southeast. It covers an area of , with a population of 3.5 million, making it the world's List of countries and dependencies by po ...

n Esui, but she suffered a broken collar bone and a dislocated shoulder during training, which forced her to withdraw from the event. Returning after her injury, Sugiyama faced Esui in a MMA bout at ''

Jewels 11th Ring ''Jewels 11th Ring'' was a mixed martial arts (MMA) event held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event took place on at Korakuen Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The event hosted the Jewels Lightweight Queen tournament semi-finals and along with the Ro ...

'' on . Esui defeated Sugiyama by TKO (corner stoppage) early in the second round. Sugiyama was scheduled to face Mayumi "Super Benkei" Aoki at ''

Jewels 12th Ring ''Jewels 12th Ring'' was a planned mixed martial arts (MMA) to be held by MMA promotion Jewels. The event was planned to be held on at Shinjuku Face in Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan but it was cancelled a few hours before the start due to the 2011 Tō ...

'' on in

Tokyo, Japan Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

, and planned to travel to

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

for one year to study after the fight. However, the event was cancelled after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami earlier in the day. Sugiyama returned to Jewels to face

Megumi Yabushita is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler and judoka. She has participated in several Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts promotions. She is a Japanese national judo champion and a form ...

at ''Jewels 20th Ring'' on . She defeated Yabushita by split decision. Sugiyama faced Yurika Tanaka at ''Jewels 21st Ring'' on . She defeated Tanaka by TKO in the second round. Sugiyama was set to face

Roxanne Modafferi Roxanne Vincenta Modafferi (born September 24, 1982) is an American retired mixed martial artist, who most recently fought for the UFC. Though she last fought in the flyweight division, she has fought in multiple weight classes in her career. She ...

at ''Jewels 22nd Ring'' on . However, Modafferi suffered a neck injury in training and withdrew from the fight on December 13. Sugiyama next faced Sung Eun Kim at ''Jewels 23rd Ring'' on . She won the fight by TKO in the first round.

DEEP JEWELS

On , Sugiyama made her

debut against Chisa Yonezawa at ''Deep: Tokyo Impact - Lightweight GP 2013 Semifinal''. She defeated Yonezawa by TKO in the first round. Sugiyama next faced

Ji Yeon Kim Kim Ji-yeon (; born October 18, 1989), often anglicized Ji Yeon Kim, is a South Korean mixed martial artist (MMA). She was the Jewels and Gladiator women's bantamweight champion. She competed in the Women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fi ...

at ''Deep: Cage Impact 2013'' on . The fight ended in a majority draw after two rounds. In her third appearance with DEEP, Sugiyama was scheduled to fight Mizuho Sato at Deep-Jewels 3. She beat Sato by a first-round TKO, after the ringside doctor was forced to stop the bout. Sugiyama was scheduled to fight

Takayo Hashi Takayo Hashi (端貴代 ''Hashi Takayo'', born October 2, 1977) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist. Biography Hashi observed her brother grappling and competing in mixed martial arts and this inspired her to compete as well. She joined t ...

at Deep-Jewels 4 for the inaugural middleweight title. Hashi won the fight by TKO, near the end of the third round. Sugiyama was scheduled to fight Yurika Nakakura at Deep Jewels 6. She won the fight by unanimous decision. At Deep - Dream Impact 2014: Omisoka Special, Sugiyama was scheduled to fight the multiple-time

World Boxing Council The World Boxing Council (WBC) is an international professional boxing organization. It is among the four major organizations which sanction professional boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation ...

title challenger

Emiko Raika Emiko Raika (来家恵美子, born January 24, 1975, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese female professional boxer and mixed martial artist. Although more Japanese women have taken up traditionally male sports such as karate, kickboxing and wrestlin ...

in the latter's sophomore MMA appearance. Sugiyama won the fight by technical submission, forcing her opponent's corner to throw in the towel, as Raika refused to tap. Sugiyama was next scheduled to fight Yukinari Nabekawa at Deep-Jewels 15. She won the fight by split decision. Sugiyama extended her winning streak to four, after beating Satsuki Kodama by an armbar at Deep Jewels 17. Shizuka was scheduled to make her RIZIN debut at the Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round event, being scheduled to fight

Kana Watanabe 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. Judo She started judo at the age of ...

. Watanabe won the fight by a unanimous decision. Returning to DEEP, Sugiyama was scheduled to fight Sachiko Fujimori at Deep Jewels 20. Sugiyama won the fight by unanimous decision. Sugiyama was scheduled to fight a rematch with

Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka!. Watanabe convincingly won the rematch, knocking Sugiyama out after just eleven seconds. In her first fight outside of Japan, Sugiyama was scheduled to fight Chan-Mi Jeon at Double G FC 02. She won the fight by unanimous decision. Sugiyama once again returned to DEEP, as she was scheduled to fight Asami Nakai at Deep Jewels 25. Sugiyama won the fight by an armbar. Sugiyama was scheduled to fight Kano Kagaya at Deep-Jewels 29, in Kagaya's sophomore MMA appearance. Kagaya later withdrew due to

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

and was replaced by Mika Arai. She won the fight by a technical submission, due to an armbar. Sugiyama was scheduled to fight at DEEP's 20th anniversary event, against Aoi Kuriyama. Sugiyama won by a first-round TKO.

Deep-Jewels Flyweight Grand Prix

Sugiyama faced Mikiko Shimizu in the Deep-Jewels Flyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal bout at Deep Jewels 36 on March 12, 2022. She won the bout via split decision. On May 8, 2022, she was scheduled to face Aoi Kuriyama in the DEEP JEWELS Flyweight Grand Prix semi-final held at Deep Jewels 37. However, Kuriyama missed weight, resulting in Sugiyama receiving a bye to the final. In the final on the same day, she faced

Rin Nakai is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. Starting her MMA career in 2006, she has participated in the organizations Pancrase, Smackgirl, Valkyrie (mixed martial arts), Valkyrie and the UFC. Nakai has been rated amongst top ten of Wome ...

, losing via armbar at the end of the first round.

PANCRASE

Sugiyama made her PANCRASE debut against Emiko Raika at PANCRASE 341 on . She won the fight by unanimous decision. On July 21, 2024, she faced the champion Honoka Shigeta in the women's flyweight title match at PANCRASE 346 and won by submission in the first round with a ninja choke. She became the fourth Queen of Pancrase in the flyweight division.

Outside mixed martial arts

Sugiyama posed for a

photobook A photo book or photobook is a book in which photographs make a significant contribution to the overall content. A photo book is related to and also often used as a coffee table book. Early Early photo books are characterized by their use of ...

published by Kamipro and has also appeared in an Internet TV show called Stickam TV.

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 23–8–1 , Fumika Watanabe , KO (punch) , Pancrase 352 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:15 ,

Yokohama is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 23–7–1 , Honoka Shigeta , Technical Submission (ninja choke) , Pancrase 346 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:40 ,

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Pancrase 341 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–7–1 ,

, Technical Submission (armbar) , Deep Jewels 37 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:53 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 21–6–1 , Mikiko Shimizu , Decision (split) , Deep Jewels 36 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 20–6–1 , Aoi Kuriyama , TKO (punches) , DEEP 100 Impact: 20th Anniversary , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:40 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 19–6–1 , Mika Arai , Technical Submission (armbar) , Deep Jewels 29 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:49 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 18–6–1 , Asami Nakai , Submission (armbar) , Deep Jewels 25 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:04 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 17–6–1 , Jeon Chan-mi , Decision (unanimous) , Double G FC 02: Fight To Prove , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

, South Korea , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–6–1 ,

, TKO (punch) , Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka! , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:11 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 16–5–1 , Sachiko Fujimori , Decision (unanimous) , Deep Jewels 20 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–5–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 15–4–1 , Satsuki Kodama , Technical Submission (armbar) , Deep Jewels 17 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:53 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 14–4–1 , Yukinari Nabekawa , Decision (split) ,

Deep Jewels 15 These are the Deep Jewels events held by the Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) organization Deep. The ''Jewels'' MMA events were previously held by Jewels before Deep absorbed its operations on . ''Deep Jewels 1'' ''Deep Jewels 1'', originally ...

, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 13–4–1 ,

, Technical Submission (armbar) , Deep Dream Impact 2014: Omisoka Special , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:06 ,

Saitama, Japan is the capital and largest city of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance. , the city had an estimated population of 1,324,854 ...

, , - , Win , align=center, 12–4–1 , Yurika Nakakura , Decision (unanimous) , Deep Jewels 6 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 11–4–1 ,

, TKO (punches) , Deep Jewels 4 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:20 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 11–3–1 , Mizuho Sato , TKO (doctor stoppage) , Deep-Jewels 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:15 ,

, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 10–3–1 , Kim Ji-yeon , Draw (majority) , Deep: Cage Impact 2013 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 , Chisa Yonezawa , TKO (punches) , Deep: Tokyo Impact - Lightweight GP 2013 Semifinal , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:16 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 9–3 , Kim Sung-eun , TKO (punches) , Jewels 23rd Ring , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:01 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 8–3 , Yurika Tanaka , TKO (punches) , Jewels 21st Ring , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:24 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 7–3 ,

, Decision (split) , Jewels 20th Ring , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–3 , Esui , TKO (corner stoppage) ,

, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:13 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–2 , Miki Morifuji , Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Yukiko Ozeki , Decision (unanimous) , Jewels 6th Ring , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–1 , Alexandra Sanchez , Decision (unanimous) , Jewels 5th Ring , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 , Hitomi Sakamoto , Decision (unanimous) ,

Shoot Boxing Girls Tournament 2009 Girls S-Cup is an annual women's kickboxing tournament promoted by Takeshi Caesar's Shoot Boxing Association and competed under shoot boxing rules. The tournament format is the 8-woman single elimination. Caesar Gym star Rena Kubota has dominated th ...

, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Mika Harigai , Decision (unanimous) , Jewels 4th Ring , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Celine Haga , Decision (unanimous) , Jewels 3rd Ring , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Shiho , TKO (knees to the body and punches) , Jewels 2nd Ring , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:55 ,

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Harumi , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Jewels 1st Ring , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:55 ,

, Japan ,

Submission grappling

''Legend'':

Championships and accomplishments

* Japan Open 2007 Vale Tudo Real Fighting Karate-do Championship Series general category women runner-up * Japan Open 2008 Vale Tudo Real Fighting Karate-do Championship Series 57 kg winner * Japan Open 2009 Vale Tudo Real Fighting Karate-do Championship Series 57 kg winner

References

External links

Shizuka Sugiyama Awakening Profile
*
Profile
at Fightergirls.com
Profile
at

Profile
at Zendokai Yokohama
Official blog

Official blog
at kakutoh.com * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sugiyama, Shizuka 1987 births Living people Tokai University alumni Japanese female karateka Bantamweight mixed martial artists Japanese female mixed martial artists American female mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists from New York (state) Mixed martial artists utilizing karate Martial artists from New York City American female karateka 21st-century American women 21st-century Japanese sportswomen

Background

Mixed martial arts career

JEWELS

DEEP JEWELS

Deep-Jewels Flyweight Grand Prix

PANCRASE

Outside mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Submission grappling

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

External links