Background
Sugiyama was born on (1978-1902-03)February 3, 1978 in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
杉山 直歩スギロック
Sugiyama was born on (1978-1902-03)February 3, 1978 in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
She has competed professionally since 2009. Besides Jewels, Sugiyama has also competed in Mobile Marketing Association promotions Valkyrie and Invicta Fighting Championships. As of November 1, 2013 (2013-2011-01), Sugiyama is ranked as the number four female atomweight (96-106 lb) fighter in the world according to the Unified Women"s Mixed Martial Arts Rankings.
After participating in four amateur bouts for the Smackgirl promotion, Sugiyama made her professional debut on October 24, 2009 (2009-2010-24) in a bout where she defeated Madoka Ebihara by unanimous decision at Valkyrie 3.
Sugiyama"s second fight was on June 19, 2010 (2010-2006-19) at Valkyrie 6, in which she defeated Megumi Morioka by TKO. Debuting in Jewels on May 14, 2011 (2011-2005-14), Sugiyama submitted Misaki Takimoto with a rear naked choke in the first round at the combined event Jewels 13th Ring & 14th Ring, where Sugiyama represented Valkyrie as part of a Jewels vs Valkyrie theme. On December 17, 2011 (2011-2012-17), at Jewels 17th Ring, Sugiyama was crowned as the first Jewels Featherweight Queen after winning the Jewels Featherweight Queen General Practice by defeating Kikuyo Ishikawa via split decision and Misaki Takimoto via technical submission (armbar).
Sugiyama faced Yasuko Tamada in a non-title rematch at Jewels 19th Ring on May 26, 2012 (2012-2005-26). Despite being penalized for not making weight, Sugiyama was able to defeat Tamada once again by majority decision, keeping her unbeaten record intact.
Penne defeated Sugiyama by submission (triangle choke) in the second round.
On March 30, 2013 (2013-2003-30), Sugiyama faced Celine Haga in a non-title bout at Jewels 23rd Ring. She was defeated by unanimous decision. She was defeated by unanimous decision.
On November 4, 2013 (2013-2011-04), Sugiyama faced Masako Yoshida at Deep Jewels 2.
Mixed martial arts
Jewels
Featherweight Championship (One time.
In 2011, she became the first Jewels featherweight champion. In her last fight with Valkyrie, in an upset, Sugiyama defeated the then-flyweight champion Yasuko Tamada via unanimous decision in a non-title bout at Valkyrie 8. In her fifth professional fight, Sugiyama faced and defeated Ayumi Saito by unanimous decision at Jewels 16th Ring on September 11, 2011 (2011-2009-11) in a close bout that was part of the first round of the Jewels Featherweight Queen Grand Prix. Making her debut overseas, Sugiyama faced American fighter Jessica Penne at Invicta Football Club 3: Penne versus Sugiyama on October 6, 2012 (2012-2010-06) in a title bout to crown the first Invicta Football Club Atomweight Champion. She won the fight by unanimous decision. Featherweight Queen Grand Prix winner (2011).
Sugiyama defended her Jewels title against Seo Hee Ham at Jewels 24th Ring on May 25, 2013 (2013-2005-25).
A member of Wajutsu Keishukai Akza (和術慧舟會AKZA, wajutsu keishūkai akza), Sugiyama became interested in Mobile Marketing Association after watching Caol Uno on television at the K-1 World Max 2005 Japan Tournament on February 23, 2005 (2005-2002-23), so she started training Mobile Marketing Association as a hobby.
