- Source: Seika Izawa
Seika Izawa (Japanese: 伊澤星花, Seika Izawa, born November 1, 1997) is a Japanese mixed martial artist, currently competing in the atomweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. She is the current Jewels Strawweight, Atomweight and Rizin Super Atomweight champion.
As of January 3, 2022, Izawa is ranked as the best atomweight in the world by both Fight Matrix and Sherdog.
Personal life and background
Izawa began practicing judo at the age of four, and took up wrestling in the 4th grade of elementary school. Representing the Sakushin Gakuin High School, Izawa placed third in the 2012 Japanese National Junior High School Wrestling Tournament and fifth in the National High School Judo Championship. Izawa won the second place in the All Japan Women's Sumo Championship ultra-lightweight weight class.
Izawa graduated from the Tokyo Gakugei University with a master's degree in teaching on March 3, 2023.
On June 30, 2022, Izawa announced her engagement to fellow mixed martial artist Kosuke "CORO" Terashima. The pair was married on June 11, 2023.
Mixed martial arts career
Izawa began training mixed martial arts in June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic preventing her from competing in judo.
= Jewels (2020–present)
=Early success
Izawa made her professional debut against Mika Arai at Deep Jewels 30 on October 31, 2020. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Izawa was scheduled to face the interim Jewels Strawweight champion Miki Motono in a non-title bout at Deep Jewels 32 on December 19, 2020. She won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.
Strawweight Champion
Izawa and Miki Motono fought a rematch for the interim Jewels Strawweight Championship at Deep Jewels 33 on June 19, 2021. She won the fight by a first-round submission, forcing Motono to tap with an armbar at the 3:32 minute mark. It was the first stoppage victory of her professional career. Izawa was promoted to undisputed champion on March 15, 2022, after Mizuki Inoue vacated the belt.
Izawa made her atomweight debut against Si Woo Park at DEEP 104 Impact on October 23, 2021. She won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 28-27, 29-26 and 29-26. Park was deducted two points in the second round for an illegal soccer kick. Following this victory, Fight Matrix recognized Izawa as the fifth best atomweight in the world.
= Rizin FF (2021–present)
=Super Atomweight Champion
Izawa faced the reigning Rizin Super Atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki in a non-title match at Rizin 33 - Saitama on December 31, 2021. She won the fight by technical knockout, stopping Hamasaki with a mixture of grounded elbows and punches. It was the first knockout victory of her professional career. After beating Hamasaki, Izawa was ranked as the best atomweight in the world by both Fight Matrix and Sherdog.
Izawa challenged the reigning Rizin Super Atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki at Rizin 35 on April 16, 2022. She was once again able to utilize her superior grappling to win the fight by unanimous decision.
Super Atomweight Grand Prix
At a press conference held by Rizin on July 7, 2022, it was announced that Izawa would participate in an eight-women grand prix, with a ¥7,000,000 prize for the eventual tournament winner. Izawa faced the undefeated Laura Fontoura in the tournament quarterfinals, which were held at Rizin 37 - Saitama on July 31, 2022. She won the fight by a first-round submission, forcing Fontoura to tap with a guillotine choke at the 3:47 minute mark of the opening round.
Izawa was expected to face Rena Kubota in the tournament semifinals, at Rizin 38 on September 25, 2022. Kubota was forced to withdraw from the bout however, as the orbital bone fracture which she sustained in her previous fight hadn't yet healed. Kubota was replaced by Anastasiya Svetkivska. Izawa won the fight by a second-round submission, as she forced her opponent to tap to an armbar with just four seconds left in the round.
Izawa rematched Si Woo Park in the final of the Rizin Super Atomweight Grand Prix on December 31, 2022 at Rizin 40 She won the Grand Prix and the bout in a close bout via split decision.
Continued title reign
Izawa was expected to face the one-time Rizin Super Atomweight title challenger Miyuu Yamamoto in a non-title bout at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023. The fight was postponed for New Year's Eve, as Yamamoto tore her anterior cruciate ligament in training and was forced to undergo surgery.
Izawa faced Suwanan Boonsorn in a women's super atomweight bout at Deep Jewels 41 on May 28, 2023. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Izawa made her first Rizin Super Atomweight title defense against Claire Lopez at Super Rizin 2: Rizin X Bellator on July 30, 2023. She won the fight via ninja choke submission in the first round.
The match between Izawa and Miyuu Yamamoto in a non-title bout was rescheduled on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45. She won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Izawa challenged Si Yoon Park for the Jewels Atomweight championship at Deep Jewels 44 on March 24, 2024. She won the fight via ninja choke submission in the second round.
Izawa faced Kanna Asakura in a non-title bout at Rizin 48 on September 29, 2024. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Championships and accomplishments
= Grappling
=Japan Wrestling Federation
2012 Junior Queen's Cup Runner-up (-52 kg)
2012 All Japan Junior High School Championship Winner (-57 kg)
All Japan Judo Federation
2014 National Inter-High Judo Championship Third Place (-52 kg)
Women's Sumo Association
2019 All Japan Women's Sumo Championship Ultra-Lightweight 2nd Place (< 50 kg)
= Mixed martial arts
=Jewels
Jewels Strawweight Championship (One time; current)
Jewels Atomweight championship (One time; current)
Rizin FF
Rizin FF Women's Super Atomweight Championship (One time; current)
One successful title defense
2022 Rizin Women's Super Atomweight Grand Prix Champion
eFight
2x "Fighter of the Month" (April 2022, March 2024)
Fight Matrix
2022 Female Fighter of the Year
Mixed martial arts record
Jiu-jitsu record
See also
List of female mixed martial artists
List of current Rizin FF fighters
List of undefeated mixed martial artists
References
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Seika Izawa
- List of undefeated mixed martial artists
- Deep Jewels events
- Rizin Fighting Federation
- List of current mixed martial arts champions
- Miki Motono
- Strawweight (MMA)
- 2024 in Rizin Fighting Federation
- List of female mixed martial artists
- Women's sumo
