Megumi Yabushita


Megumi Yabushita is a 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 former Smackgirl open weight champion and tournament winner.

Background

Yabushita was born on in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan. Her father introduced her into judo, training her before entering elementary school. Yabushita excelled at judo starting in high school and became a regular participant in national championships.

Judo career

Yabushita graduated from Asahikawa University High School, where she won the judo club competitions in the less than 48 kg division in 1988 and 1989. Scouted by Japan's corporate judo team Miki House, she won the all-Japan individual championships in 1993, in 1994 she placed third in the Fukuoka international women's judo championships in the 52 kg class and in 1995 she placed fifth in the World Masters Munich in the 52 kg class. and also participated in the 52 kg class in the 1995 World Judo Championships celebrated in Chiba, Japan.

Professional wrestling career

In 1996, Yabushita joined Jd' wrestling promotion, She made her debut on in a match against Sumie Sakai at Korakuen Hall. On, Yabushita won the Jd' Junior title in Tokyo by winning a round-robin tournament where she defeated Sakai in the final match and she would lose it on her first defense against The Bloody on. She would regain the title on by defeating Sakai once again and this time went on to successfully defend it three times before vacating it.
On, Yabushita and Sakai became the Trans-world Wrestling Federation
World Women's Tag Team champions. and defended it one time before losing it on against Crusher Maedomari and Drake Morimatsu. Megumi Yabushita and Sumie Sakai would regain the title one more time, by pinning Kazuki on and Sachie Abe on in a couple of special stipulation matches. Yabushita left Jd' gym in 2002. She would win the Tag team title one more time with Maru as her partner on by winning the final of an 8-team tournament against The Bloody and Yumi Ohka, who would in turn gain the title in Yabushita's and Maru's first defense on.
Yabushita also won the American Wrestling Federation World Women's Title on and on. On, Yabushita defeated The Bloody to win the BS Japan Queen of the Ring Title, and with his victory of the AWF title, she unifies both titles that then became the Jd' Double Title.
Yabushita along with Command Bolshoi became the Daily Sports Women's Tag Team and JWP Tag Team Champions on.

Mixed martial arts career

When she joined women's wrestling promotion Jd' in 1996, she met Yoko Takahashi, "Japan's First Woman MMA Fighter." At the time, Takahashi, injured with a hernia that made her retire from pro-wrestling and focus on MMA, was working as pro-wrestling referee and also trained in MMA, which was the reason why Yabushita started training in MMA. On, Yabushita made her MMA debut against South Korea Ji Hee Yu, defeating her with an armbar submission at 2:51 of the first round at Central Martial Arts Association event Octagon Challenge, held at the Nagoya Congress Center Century Hall in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Her next bouts and her rose to prominence would take place during Smackgirl's ReMix World Cup 2000 celebrated on at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. The tournament held a for the winner, for the runner-up and for both third places. Yabushita's first match in the tournament was against American kickboxer Bambi Bertoncello, whom Yabushita defeated with an armbar submission. Her spotlight in the tournament was in her match against Russian judoka Svetlana Goundarenko, who had submitted American Erin Toughill, outweighed Yabushita for over and had a height advantage of. Despite these disadvantages, Yabushita was able to control the fight with her quickness and takedown skills, earning a unanimous decision victory and a spot in the final. In the final, Dutch fighter Marloes Coenen defeated Yabushita by unanimous decision. With her performance in the tournament, Yabushita and women's MMA became one of the hottest topics in Japanese fight sports.
Yabushita lost her next bout by technical submission against Erin Toughill on in the ReMix's event Golden Gate 2001. Yabushita's next match was on in Jd' wrestling promotion event No holds barred 2002 in a MMA rules bout where she was once again defeated by Marloes Coenen, this time by a rear naked choke submission. Yabushita would lose for the third time in a row against Japanese Asako Saioka who, contrary to Yabushita's previous opponents, matched her in height and weight and defeated Yabushita by unanimous decision on in ReMix promotion successor, Smackgirl, in the event Smack Legend 2002 at the Differ Ariake Arena.
On, Yabushita got another victory by submitting Japanese kickboxer Naoko Sakamoto with an armbar at 0:23 of round one in Smackgirl Third Season-IV.
At All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling event Tag League: The Best, Yabushita defeated fellow pro-wrestler Shioya Yoshimi by armbar submission in a MMA bout on.
Yabushita made her debut in Shooto promotion on in the event G-Shooto Japan: Activation, defeating Hitomi Akano in Akano's professional debut and in a match in which Yabushita applied a giant swing on Akano.
On, Yabushita participated in Smackgirl's World ReMix 2004 held on Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in the open weight queen decision tournament, which would crown the first Smackgirl open weight champion. Josh Barnett's student, American fighter Shannon Hooper, was Yabushita's first opponent whom Yabushita defeated at 0:29 of round one with a wristlock. Yabushita next faced American grappler Roxanne Modafferi in the semi-finals, defeating Modafferi by unanimous decision. In a rematch of their 2001 bout, Yamaguchi and Erin Toughill fought in the tournament final. Toughill, who had just defeated Marloes Coenen by TKO, outweighed Yabushita for around and was controlling the fight until Yabushita grabbed Toughill's left wrist in an effort to stop her attacks, to which Toughill responded with two elbows to the spinal cord, an illegal action. The referee immediately stopped the fight and gave Toughill a yellow card while Yabushita was writhing in pain. The ring doctor didn't allow the bout to continue after checking Yabushita, which resulted in an immediate disqualification for Toughill and this gave the open weight title to Yabushita. As a precautionary measure, Yabushita was carried to the waiting room in a stretcher and was taken to a hospital in which she was diagnosed with lumbar transverse processes fracture, according to the event organizers, and rendered Yabushita unable to fulfill her commitment to fight against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Felicia Oh in a grappling match on.
Yabushita's next fight was in the event G-Shooto Japan 02, where American fighter Tara LaRosa defeated Yabushita by majority decision on.
On, Yabushita fought against South Korean kickboxer Hyun Sung Kim as part of the opening round of Smackgirl's first middleweight queen decision tournament in Smackgirl 2005: Cool Fighter's Last Stand. In an unexpected development, as Kim advanced to attack, Yabushita used a judo throw on Kim which slammed Kim's face directly on the mat, knocking her out instantly, while Yabushita tried an arm submission, unaware of Kim's state. The referee rushed to stop the fight and Yabushita won at 0:29 of round one, with Yabushita not knowing what transpired until asking her corner. There was concern over Kim's health, as she had to be carried outside the ring on a stretcher but after being examined at the hospital there were no abnormalities found on Kim.
Yabushita fought in World X-Impact Federation's X-Impact World Championships, an event held in Seoul, South Korea on, where she defeated local fighter Yong Joo Lee by unanimous decision.
On, Yabushita returned to Smackgirl for the final part of the middleweight queen decision tournament that took place in the event Smackgirl 2005: Dynamic!! in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. In the semi-finals, Yabushita defeated Asako Saioka by armbar, avenging her 2002 loss against Saioka. Yabushita was defeated in a 1-2 decision in the tournament final by American fighter Laura D'Auguste, who became the first Smackgirl middleweight champion.
After the tournament, Yabushita lost against American Amanda Buckner by submission in Smackgirl 2006: Advent of Goddess on. Yabushita had an exhibition match against Mika Nagano on. A few days after, Yabushita would have another defeat on in G-Shooto Japan 05 at the hands of Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision, in a rematch of their 2004 fight.
On, Yabushita and Laura D'Auguste had a rematch in which D'Auguste was defending her Ring of Combat women's welterweight title in Ring of Combat 11 held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. Yabushita's corner was forced to stop the fight after Yabushita got her forearm fractured during the first round.
Yabushita rebounded back with a majority decision victory against Japanese Mizuho Sato in Shooto's Battle Mix Tokyo 02 on. On, Yabushita defeated Mayumi Aoki by unanimous decision in Smackgirl 2007: The Dance of the Taisho Romance.
Yabushita participated in the event K-Grace on in the contest open weight tournament. Her first bout was against Lithuanian kickboxer Jurgita Leitonaite, whom Yabushita defeated in 17 seconds with an armbar. For the third time, Yabushita clashed with Roxanne Modafferi, with Modafferi gaining a unanimous decision and advancing to the final which she eventually won.
Returning to the US, Yabushita participated in Fatal Femmes Fighting Championship 2: The Crystal Brawl, where she faced another Josh Barnett's student, American Ginele Marquez, who defeated Yabushita by unanimous decision on.
In the open-air event Smackgirl in Summerfest!! on, Yabushita submitted Hiroko Kohata with an armbar in 15 seconds. On, Yabushita was defeated by American fighter Lisa Ellis with a unanimous decision in the event Fatal Femmes Fighting Championship 3: War of the Roses. Facing another American fighter on in Smackgirl 7th anniversary: Starting Over, Yabushita was once again defeated by unanimous decision, this time against Lana Stefanac, who had an advantage over Yabushita.
During the open weight tournament in Smackgirl world ReMix tournament 2008 Opening Round held on, Yabushita had a rematch against Hitomi Akano, whom Yabushita defeated in Akano's debut in MMA in 2007, and in this occasion it ended with Akano submitting Yabushita with a heel hook.
Yabushita had her four straight loss at the hands of Russian fighter Julia Berezikova, who won the match by unanimous decision in the event FightFORCE: Russia vs. The World held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on.
Rebounding back from her losing streak, Yabushita scored a unanimous decision victory over Emi Fujino at Japanese event Demolition 080721 on.
After a year without fighting in MMA, on, it was announced that Yabushita would be making her debut with Jewels promotion in the event Jewels 5th Ring facing fellow pro-wrestler Atsuko Emoto. On, Yabushita defeated Emoto by submission at 2:43 mins. of round one after resisting Emoto's initial attack.
Yabushita returned to the United States on to participate in Freestyle Cage Fighting women's bantamweight grand prix at Freestyle Cage Fighting 39. For the third time, Yabushita was facing another Josh Barnett's student, this time submission specialist Shayna Baszler, who dominated the fight and submitted Yabushita with a twister, a catch wrestling move rarely seen in MMA.
On, Yabushita made her debut with Valkyrie promotion, defeating Japanese fighter Mutsumi Kasai with a scarf hold armlock submission, handling Kasai her first professional loss, in the event Valkyrie 05.
Yabushita next faced Japanese MMA rising star Rin Nakai at Valkyrie 06 on, losing by unanimous decision in a match that Nakai dominated to remain undefeated.
Yabushita faced Sarah Kaufman at Armageddon Fighting Championship 5: Judgment Day on in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She was defeated by TKO in the third round.
Yabushita faced professional wrestler Kyoko Kimura at Pancrase Impressive Tour 11 on. She was defeated by TKO due to an ankle injury sustained in the first round.
Yabushita returned to Jewels to face Shizuka Sugiyama at Jewels 20th Ring on. She was defeated by split decision.
On, Yabushita faced Jade Marie Anderson at Jewels 22nd Ring. She was defeated by unanimous decision.
Yabushita faced Anderson again in a rematch at Gladiator: Dream, Power and Hope on. She was defeated by technical submission due to an armbar in the first round.

Submission grappling career

Yabushita was supposed to debut at submission grappling against Felicia Oh on, but Erin Toughill injured Yabushita in their MMA bout and Yabushita was unable to grapple against Oh. Yabushita participated in Smackgirl Grappling Queen Tournament 2007 on, defeating against Hitomi Sakamoto by decision and losing against Akiko Ninomiya with a choke sleeper submission in the middleweight tournament final.

Kickboxing and Shoot boxing career

On, Yabushita debuted in kickboxing, losing against Yuko Okamoto by TKO, after Yabushita had her left shoulder dislocated in All-Japan Kickboxing Federation event Girls standing fight 1st. bout - Girls Shock!. Her next match was a draw against Hikaru Shinohara in the event Nyotei Produce: Belief in a kickboxing rules match with no judges on.
On, it was announced that Yabushita would have a kickboxing rematch against South Korean Hyun Sung Kim whom Yabushita had brutally knocked out with a slam on Kim's face in a MMA match on. This time, Kim controlled the match and defeated Yabushita by decision on in the Central Martial Arts Association event CMA festival: Japan vs. South Korea total war.
Facing another South Korean, Yabushita was defeated by Seo Hee Ham by unanimous decision in the event CMA Festival 2: Ikuhisa Minowa debut 10 anniversary tournament celebrated on.
Yabushita was defeated by Japanese Muay Thai expert Rie Murakami with a unanimous decision on in the event Breathless Muay Thai 4. Yabushita had another unanimous decision loss at the hands of Mitsuki, whom Yabushita faced on in the event Dragon Gym & professional wrestling ring Noah combined performance.
Yabushita got her first victory in kickboxing by defeating Kanako Oka by decision at Shoot boxing Osaka 2010 Alpinisme -Young Caesar Cup- on. On, Yabushita was defeated by Kozue "Azuma" Nagashima in a 3-0 decision in the event New Japan Kickboxing Federation: Neppuu Reisan.
On at Dragon Gym event Charity kickboxing event: No Name Heroes 10, Yabushita was defeated via unanimous decision by Monica, MAD 66 kg champion.
At the event J-Girls Women Festival 2010: The women who fight are beautiful on, Yabushita had a rematch against Rie Murakami, who once again defeated Yabushita, this time by KO in the third round, successfully defending J-Girls lightweight title.
On, Yabushita faced Seo Hee Ham for a second time at Gladiator 14 KOK Samurai Series. Yabushita lost the fight by TKO in the second round.
On, Yabushita faced Hiroko Yamanaka in a shoot boxing match at the 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. She was defeated by TKO due to a knee injury in round three.

Outside sports

Yabushita has a younger sister named Yuka Yabushita who is also a judoka.
Yabushita along with Yoko Takahashi left Jd' in 2002 and associated with Soft on Demand, one of the biggest adult film makers in Japan, and founded SOD Women's MMA Dojo and started to train MMA fighters. After some years, Yabushita and Takahashi decided to leave their partnership with SOD and closed their gym at the end of and they formed their own team called Tomoe-gumi. This situation forced them to collaborate with Fang Gym in order to have a place to train. Members of Tomoe-gumi had differences with Fang Gym's policies and Yabushita and Takahashi were forced to disband the team by and became freelance. They negotiated with Exit, a bar / live house in Shinjuku, Tokyo, to become bouncers at the place during the night and to use the live house space for their training and the amateur MMA shows free of charge during the day. When they decided to change the name of their team for a name that represented "girls that keep on fighting", they met with American clothing brand Fight Chix and contacted the company for a possible collaboration which was accepted. Yabushita and Takahashi renamed their team to Team Fight Chix. With their partnership, Yabushita and Takahashi are introducing, marketing and distributing Fight Chix products in the Japanese market.
Yabushita uses Kula Shaker's cover of Hush as her ring entrance theme in pro-wrestling. In MMA, she uses Visa's Fly Away song as her entrance theme.

Mixed martial arts record

Submission grappling

Legend:

Kickboxing and Shoot boxing record

Legend:

Championships and accomplishments

Judo