Sherdog’s Top 10: Japanese Fighters

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6. Megumi Fujii

The fact that Fujii as a woman makes an all-time top 10 list in a sport dominated by men tells you all you need to know. “Mega Megu” was the standard by which all female fighters were measured prior to Ronda Rousey’s arrival. She won her first 22 fights, 19 of them finishes, using armbars, heel hooks, chokes and keylocks in tearing through Shooto and Smackgirl. No one came close to beating her.

In her late 30s, Fujii joined Bellator MMA and continued her dominance until Zoila Frausto upset her by split decision in October 2010. The Japanese ace responded with three straight victories, but by the time she lost to Jessica Aguilar, she was pushing 40 and was not quite the world-beater she was in her prime. Aguilar defeated her in their October 2013 rematch under the Vale Tudo Japan banner, and Fujii has not fought since.

In what can only be described as an oversight, ESPN left Fujii out of its “Best Female Athlete Ever” tournament. Then again, ignorance is bliss.

Number 5 » Though he built his profile on highlight-reel knockouts, he was a well-rounded fighter in every sense of the word. The former Shooto champion could do it all.