Rena Kubota (久保田 玲奈, kubota rena^?, Japanese pronunciation: [ku͍̥bota ɽena]), better known by her ring name Rena (レーナ^?, styled in capitals with Latin characters) or Reina (pronounced as "ɽeːna"), is a professional Japanese kickboxer. She competes mainly in shoot boxing, where she won the 2009 and 2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup tournaments.

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Kubota was born in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on (1991-06-29)June 29, 1991. She began training at Oikawa Dojo when she was a sixth grader.^[1]

Professional career[link]

Kubota made her kickboxing debut in the all-female promotion J-Girls at New Heroine Coming! on July 1, 2007 (2007-07-01). She lost a split decision to Asami Furuya in the flyweight New Heroine tournament semi-final.^[2] Kubota fought once more in J-Girls in the World Queen Tournament and defeated Mika Nagai by decision on November 4, 2007 (2007-11-04).^[3]

Kubota's next bout was her first in shoot boxing. She defeated Kanako Oka by decision at Shoot Boxing 2007 Mu-So 5th on December 23, 2007 (2007-12-23).^[4] Kubota won her next two fights in the Road to S-Cup series.

On June 1, 2008 (2008-06-01), Kubota fought to a draw with MMA fighter Miku Matsumoto in the Deep promotion in a kickboxing match at ClubDEEP Toyama Barbarian Festival 7.^[5][6] Kubota then returned to shoot boxing and won an extra-round decision against Misato Tomita on July 21, 2008 (2008-07-21).^[7]

Kubota's next fight, her second professional loss, came in a rematch against Miku Matsumoto at the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2008 on November 24, 2008 (2008-11-24). Matsumoto won the fight by unanimous decision.^[8][9] Kubota then made her debut in K-1 at K-1 Award & MAX Korea 2009 on March 20, 2009 (2009-03-20). She was defeated via extra-round split decision against South Korean Muay Thai kickboxer Su Jeong Lim. The bout was Kubota's only fight for the promotion.^[10]

Kubota debuted in the Jewels promotion in a shoot boxing match at Jewels 4th Ring on July 11, 2009 (2009-07-11). She defeated Tomoko SP by decision.^[11][12]

Kubota returned to shoot boxing and won her first Girls S-Cup title, at only 18 years old, at the 2009 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup on August 23, 2009 (2009-08-23). She defeated Masako Yoshida by decision, Saori Ishioka by TKO and finally Mei Yamaguchi by decision to win the tournament.^[13][14][15]

After winning the Girls S-Cup, Kubota won fights against Emi Fujino by TKO (doctor stoppage),^[16][17][18] Australian Christina Jurjevic by decision^[19] and Mika Nagai by decision in a rematch from their 2007 fight.^[20]

Kubota was scheduled to face kickboxing and MMA legend Hisae Watanabe on April 11, 2010 (2010-04-11), but Kubota broke her finger and Watanabe faced an alternate opponent.^[21][22] The two would finally meet on August 29, 2010 (2010-08-29) during the 2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. Kubota, in a powerful performance, defeated the #2-ranked Watanabe by TKO after a devastating knee to the body left Watanabe on her knees in severe pain and unable to continue. Kubota went on to defeat American MMA fighter Kate Martinez by decision in the semi-final, then defeated Ai Takahashi by decision after two extra rounds in the final to win her second straight Girls S-Cup.^[23][24]

After her second victory of the Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Kubota appeared at the pre-recorded TV program Beautiful women athletes full performance: TV 2011 Athletic Club of Fire (美女アスリート総出演“炎の体育会TV2011”, Bijo Asurīto Sōshutsuen Honō no Taiiku-Kai TV 2011^?) on TBS on January 11, 2011 (2011-01-11), where she faced and defeated male comedians Yu Shinagawa, Hidetsugu Shibata and Koji Imada in exhibition bouts.^[25] While the show averaged 11.8% of TV rating, her appearance had the highest rating, 16.8%,^[26][27] and her ring name became the second highest searched for keyword on Google Japan the next day.^[28]

Kubota was scheduled to fight South Korean fighter Sun Young Kim on April 23, 2011 (2011-04-23) at Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 2 in Tokyo, but Kim withdrew from the bout.^[29][30] As a result, Kubota faced J-Girls rising talent Erika Kamimura in an exhibition match in which Rena was knocked down once by her younger opponent in a single three-minute round, which surprised fans and pundits alike.^[29][30][31]

Kubota faced Ai Takahashi again in a five-round title fight at Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 3 on June 5, 2011 (2011-06-05). She was defeated by unanimous decision.^[32][33]

On August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19), Kubota faced Thai Zaza Sor Aree in a non-tournament bout at the 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. Rena trapped Zaza in a standing head and arm triangle choke and Zaza was about to pass out when the referee stopped the round and awarded the point to Rena. Rena eventually won the fight by KO after landing a devastating punch to the body which left Zaza flat on her back in agony in round two.^[34][35]

Kubota faced Bellator MMA veteran Jessica Penne in a shoot boxing match at Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 4 on September 10, 2011 (2011-09-10).^[36][37] She was defeated by majority decision after two extension rounds in a considerable upset.^[38][39]

Kubota faced Erika Kamimura in a rematch at Rise 85 on November 23, 2011 (2011-11-23). She defeated Kamimura by unanimous decision to become the first Rise Queen champion.^[40][41]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Titles[link]

• 2009 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup winner
• 2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup winner
• 2011 Rise Queen champion

Awards[link]

• 2009 Special Award (Jewels, December 20, 2009)^[42]

Kickboxing and shoot boxing record[link]

Rena Kubota kickboxing record

17 wins (5 (T)KO's), 5 losses, 1 draw Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2011-11-23 Win Erika Kamimura Rise 85 - Rise Heavyweight Tournament 2011 Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 17-5-1 Won Rise Queen title. 2011-09-10 Loss Jessica Penne Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 4 Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Majority) 5 (Ex.2) 3:00 16-5-1 2011-08-19 Win Zaza Sor Aree 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan KO (Punch to the body) 2 2:10 16-4-1 2011-06-05 Loss Ai Takahashi Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 3 Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 15-4-1 Fight was for the vacant Shoot Boxing Japanese Ladies title (50 kg). 2010-08-29 Win Ai Takahashi 2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Final Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 (Ex.2) 2:00 15-3-1 Won 2010 Girls S-Cup title. 2010-08-29 Win Kate Martinez 2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Semi-Final Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 14-3-1 2010-08-29 Win Hisae Watanabe 2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Quarterfinal Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan TKO (Knee to the body) 2 1:50 13-3-1 2010-06-06 Win Mika Nagai Shoot Boxing 25th Anniversary Series: Ishin 3rd Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 12-3-1 2010-02-13 Win Christina Jurjevic Shoot Boxing 25th Anniversary Series: Kaimakusen Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 11-3-1 2009-11-18 Win Emi Fujino Shoot Boxing 2009 - Bushido 5th Koto, Tokyo, Japan TKO (Doctor stoppage) 2 2:00 10-3-1 2009-08-23 Win Mei Yamaguchi 2009 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Final Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 9-3-1 Won 2009 Girls S-Cup title. 2009-08-23 Win Saori Ishioka 2009 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Semi-Final Koto, Tokyo, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 3 0:20 8-3-1 2009-08-23 Win Masako Yoshida 2009 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Quarterfinal Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 7-3-1 2009-07-11 Win Tomoko SP Jewels 4th Ring Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 6-3-1 2009-03-20 Loss Su Jeong Lim K-1 Award & MAX Korea 2009 Seoul, South Korea Decision (Split) 4 (Ex.1) 2:00 5-3-1 2008-11-24 Loss Miku Matsumoto Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2008 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 5-2-1 2008-07-21 Win Misato Tomita Shoot Boxing 2008: Road to S-Cup 4th Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 4 (Ex.1) 2:00 5-1-1 2008-06-01 Draw Miku Matsumoto ClubDEEP Toyama Barbarian Festival 7 Toyama, Toyama, Japan Draw (Majority) 2 3:00 4-1-1 2008-04-04 Win Yuka Okumura Shoot Boxing 2008: Road to S-Cup 2nd Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 4-1-0 2008-02-03 Win Yukiko Seki Shoot Boxing 2008: Road to S-Cup 1st Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan TKO (Doctor stoppage) 2 1:49 3-1-0 2007-12-23 Win Kanako Oka Shoot Boxing 2007: Mu-So 5th Osaka, Osaka, Japan Decision (Majority) 3 2:00 2-1-0 2007-11-04 Win Mika Nagai J-Girls - World Queen Tournament Koto, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 1-1-0 2007-07-01 Loss Asami Furuya J-Girls - New Heroine Coming!, Semi-Final Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Split) 3 2:00 0-1-0 Eliminated in the semi-final of the Flyweight New Heroine tournament. Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

See also[link]

• List of female kickboxers

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shoot boxing profile (Japanese)
• K-1 profile (Japanese)
• Team Oikawa profile (Japanese)
• Official blog (Japanese)
• Official blog (old) (Japanese)
• Official blog (old) (Japanese)

Erika Kamimura (神村 江里加, kamimura erika^?) is a professional Japanese kickboxer. She won the 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup tournament. She is also the current WBC World Women's Mini Flyweight champion, WPMF World Women's Mini Flyweight champion and former J-GIRLS Mini Flyweight champion.

Kickboxing career[link]

Having started Karate while she was in Junior High School, she started kickboxing in 2006 when she went to Yamato Dojo with her father.^[1]

On February 4, 2007, Kamimura made her amateur debut and won by knockout.

On March 31, 2007, Kamimura beat the younger Madoka Jinnai by Unanimous Decision.

On February 11, 2008, Kamimura made her pro debut against Mika, winning by Decision at the age of 15.

On April 13, 2008, Kamimura was named the MVP of the J-Grow 20 Amateur Tournament with her victory over Madoka Jinnai.^[2]

An initial match between Kamimura and Ai Takahashi was canceled after Takahashi injured her orbital bone in training. As a result, Kamimura was entered into the 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. Having defeated the 2009 and 2010 champion, Rena Kubota, in an exhibition match, Kamimura was a heavy favorite going in.^[3] Kamimura won the tournament, finishing her first two opponents and defeating Seo Hee Ham in the final match by decision.^[4] Rena Kubota, who fought on the same event but not in the tournament, announced at the event that she would be fighting Kamimura for the first ever Rise Queen title.

Rena defeated Kamimura by decision to win the Rise Queen title at Rise 85. The fight would have been ruled a draw but deducted points gave the match to Rena.^[5][6]

At Rise 87, Kamimura defeated Yau~en Fan in 33 seconds by knockout.^[7]

Kamimura will face Seo Hee Ham in a rematch at Rise 88 on June 2, 2012.^[8]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Titles[link]

• 2009 J-Girls Mini Flyweight Champion
• 2009 WPMF World Women's Mini Flyweight champion
• 2010 WMC World Women's Mini Flyweight Champion
• 2011 WBC World Women's Mini Flyweight champion
• 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup Winner

Kickboxing and shoot boxing record[link]

Erika Kamimura kickboxing record

24 wins (13 (T)KO's), 2 losses Date Result Opponent Event Method Round Time Record 2012-03-24 Win Yau~en Fan Rise 87 KO (Left Straight) 1 0:33 24-2 2011-11-23 Loss Rena Kubota Rise 85 - Rise Heavyweight Tournament 2011 Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 23-2 Fight was for first RISE Queen title. 2011-10-02 Win Denise Mellor WBC Muay Thai Japan - The Path to the World Champion KO (Left Hook) 1 1:49 23-1 Won WBC Muay Thai Inaugural Mini-Flyweight title. 2011-08-19 Win Seo Hee Ham 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Final Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 22-1 Won 2011 Girls S-Cup title. 2011-08-19 Win Miyo Yoshida 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Semi-Final TKO (2 Knockdowns, Left Hook) 1 0:50 21-1 2011-08-19 Win Kanako Oka 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Quarterfinal TKO(Punches) 2 0:31 20-1 2011-07-23 Win Titiana van Polanen Rise 80 TKO (3 Knockdowns, Left Hook) 1 2:01 19-1 2011-06-04 Win Silvia La Notte Rise 78 TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 3 1:20 18-1 2011-04-17 Win Tawan Por. Pramuk Rise 76 KO (Left Hook) 1 0:21 17-1 2010-12-30 Win Chiharu Sengoku Soul of Fight TKO (Doctor Stoppage, Cut) 2 0:38 16-1 2010-11-14 Win Namuwan Shiddjanchai M-1 FAIRTEX SINGHA BEER Muay Thai Challenge KO (Right Body) 1 1:48 15-1 Won WMC Women's Mini-Flyweight title. 2010-9-12 Win Nongnuen Soshiriwan M-1 FAIRTEX SINGHA BEER Muay Thai Challenge Decision (Unanimous) 5 2:00 14-1 Defended WPMF World Women's Mini-Flyweight title. 2010-07-25 Win Motoe Abe J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Catch The stone〜9 Decision (Unanimous) 5 2:00 13-1 Defended J-Girls Mini-Flyweight Title. 2010-05-16 Win Ho Seongbok Rise 65 KO (Left Straight) 1 0:58 12-1 2010-03-21 Win Tonta M-1 FAIRTEX SINGHA BEER Muay Thai Challenge Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 11-1 2009-12-20 Loss Motoe Abe J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Final Stage 2009 Decision (Unanimous) 2 2:00 10-1 2009-12-20 Win Neshian Por. Pramuk J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Final Stage 2009 Decision (Unanimous) 2 2:00 10-0 2009-09-13 Win Payakuin Shitoniwato M-1 FAIRTEX SINGHA BEER Muay Thai Challenge 2009 Yod Nak Suu vol.3 Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 9-0 Won WPMF World Women's Mini-Flyweight title. 2009-07-26 Win Haru Tajima J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Champion Festival 2009 Decision (Unanimous) 5 2:00 8-0 Won J-Girls Mini-Flyweight Title. 2009-04-05 Win Little Tiger J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Catch The stone〜2 Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 7-0 2009-01-18 Win Shyoko Hayashida J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Catch The stone〜1 Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 6-0 2008-11-09 Win Mai J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Final Stage 2008 KO 2 1:40 5-0 2008-09-07 Win Miho J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Hurricane Battle TKO (3 Knockdowns, Right Middle Kick) 2 1:41 4-0 2008-07-21 Win Tomoko Kuramitsu J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Summer Kick Carnival Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 3-0 2008-05-25 Win Yukiko Seki J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Ayame Festival TKO (3 Knockdowns, Right Middle Kick) 3 1:38 2-0 2008-02-11 Win Mika MARS 11 "2nd ANNIVERSARY" Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 1-0 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Amateur Kickboxing record[link]

Amateur Kickboxing Record

5 wins (3 (T)KO's), 1 loss, 1 Draw Date Result Opponent Event Method Round Time Record 2008-04-13 Win Madoka Jinnai J-NETWORK - J-GROW 20 Amateur Tournament Decision (Unanimous) 2 1:00 5-1-1 2007-11-04 Loss Madoka Jinnai J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Kazabana Festival Decision (Unanimous) 3 (extension round) 1:30 4-1-1 2007-11-04 Win Suzuna Nakamura J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Kazabana Festival KO 2 0:21 4-0-1 2007-05-20 Draw Saki Yamada J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Women's Festival Final round Draw (Unanimous) 2 1:30 3-0-1 2007-04-15 Win Madoka Jinnai Tenku Kickboxing Association KO 2 0:54 3-0 2007-03-31 Win Madoka Jinnai J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Women's Festival 2nd Round Decision (Unanimous) 2 1:30 2-0 2007-02-04 Win Itsuki Okamoto J-NETWORK - J-GIRLS Women's Festival Opener KO (Left Middle Kick) 1 0:20 1-0 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

References[link]

1. ^ "スカパー！松本幸代の格闘徒然草女子中学生キックボクサーの逆襲!!". SportsNavi Japan. 2007-05-12. http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/column/200705/at00013196.html. 
2. ^ "(結果) J-NET 4.13 大森：湘南格闘の田島、左禅丸を16秒KO". Bout Review Japan. 2008-04-13. http://www.boutreview.com/data/reports05/080413jnetwork.html. 
3. ^ "2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup Quarterfinals Announced". MMARising.com. 2011-08-08. http://www.mmarising.com/news/2011/08/08/2011-shoot-boxing-girls-s-cup-quarterfinals-announced/. 
4. ^ "Erika Kamimura Wins 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup". MMARising.com. 2011-08-19. http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2011/08/19/erika-kamimura-wins-2011-shoot-boxing-girls-s-cup/. 
5. ^ "Rena Kubota Defeats Erika Kamimura In Rise 85 Rematch". MMARising.com. 2011-11-23. http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2011/11/23/rena-kubota-defeats-erika-kamimura-in-rise-85-rematch/. 
6. ^ "RISE 85 Recap and Analysis". LiverKick.com. 2011-11-25. http://liverkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1064:rise-85-recap-and-analysis&catid=38:asia&Itemid=59. 
7. ^ "RISE 87 Results: Yuki Defends Title, KENJI Wins, Kamimura, Komiyama, Uehara Score Quick Knockouts". LiverKick.com. 2012-03-24. http://liverkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1406:rise-87-results-yuki-defends-title-kenji-wins-kamimura-komiyama-uehara-score-quick-knockouts&catid=38:asia&Itemid=59. 
8. ^ "Erika Kamimura vs Seo Hee Ham 2 Announced For Rise 88". MMARising.com. 2012-04-25. http://www.mmarising.com/news/2012/04/25/erika-kamimura-vs-seo-hee-ham-2-announced-for-rise-88/. Retrieved 2012-04-25. 

External links[link]

• Shoot boxing profile (Japanese)
• J-Girls profile (Japanese)
• Target Gym profile (Japanese)
• Official Blog (old) (Japanese)
• Sengoku profile (Japanese)
• Official Blog (Japanese)

Hisae Watanabe (渡辺 久江, Watanabe Hisae^?, born October 21, 1980) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist and kickboxer.

She stands out with her distinctive two-piece leopard-print outfit and matching hair, which was formerly auburn or red but is now blond. She is a former DEEP Women's Lightweight (106-Pound) Champion and currently holds an MMA record of 19-6-0.

Watanabe is featured in the martial arts-themed movie High Kick Girl! which was filmed with real fighting scenes and did not use any stunt actors. It was released in select countries in May 2010.^[1]

Mixed martial arts career[link]

Following a successful career in kickboxing, Watanabe debuted in mixed martial arts on April 7, 2002 at Smackgirl: "Royal Smack 2002" but was disqualified after an illegal kick. She won four of her next five fights before losing to Satoko Shinashi in the Grand Final of the 2002 Smackgirl Japan Cup.

Watanabe then won nine straight fights, including two in Pancrase, and became the 2004 Golden Muscle Strongest Queen Tournament Champion.

On August 4, 2006, Watanabe knocked out the previously undefeated Shinashi in a rematch to capture the DEEP Women's Lightweight Championship.^[2] However, she was defeated by Seo Hee Ham in a non-title bout at DEEP: 28th Impact on February 16, 2007.^[3]

Watanabe submitted Masako Yoshida on April 13, 2007,^[4] but lost the DEEP Women's Lightweight Championship to Miku Matsumoto at DEEP: 31st Impact on August 5, 2007.^[5]

Following a December 2007 victory over Genkaam Lookjuapoakum at DEEP: 33rd Impact,^[6] Watanabe announced her retirement from mixed martial arts.^[7]

More than one year later, she competed in an exhibition match against Megumi Fujii in August 2009 and announced her intentions to return to MMA at Jewels: "Sixth Ring" in December. However, a broken foot suffered in training prevented her from competing.^[8]

Watanabe is now expected to make her return to MMA at Jewels: "Eleventh Ring" on December 17, 2010. She may also compete at DEEP: 50th Impact on October 24.^[9]

Shoot Boxing[link]

Watanabe was set to compete in a shoot boxing match with 2009 Girls S-Cup Champion RENA on April 11, 2010.^[1] RENA suffered a broken finger while training and the fight with Watanabe was postponed. Watanabe instead faced karate champion Megumi Igawa and defeated Igawa by TKO in the third round.^[10]

She competed again in shoot boxing against Sumie Yamada in a rematch on June 6, 2010. Watanabe had previously knocked out Yamada in a November 2002 mixed martial arts bout.^[11] She defeated Yamada by Unanimous Decision.^[12]

Watanabe entered the 2010 Girls S-Cup on August 29, 2010. She faced RENA in the opening round of the tournament and was defeated by TKO in round two.^[13]

Return to Kickboxing[link]

On July 19, 2010, Watanabe faced Little Tiger for the WPMF Japan Women's Mini Flyweight Championship at REBELS 3. The five-round fight ended in a Split Draw with scores of 50-49, 49-49 and 48-49.^[14]

Personal life[link]

Watanabe is married to Japanese comic book artist SP Nakatema and has one child.^[1] She originates from Tochigi Prefecture but now lives in Tokyo where she trains at the Blue Dog Gym.

Mixed martial arts record[link]

Championships[link]

• 2004 Golden Muscle Strongest Queen Tournament Champion
• Former DEEP Women's Lightweight (106-Pound) Champion

See also[link]

• List of female mixed martial artists

References[link]

External links[link]

• Professional MMA record for Hisae Watanabe from Sherdog
• "High-Kick Girl!" at Internet Movie Database