Hitomi Akano, without a doubt, is currently one of the hottest commodities in the Japanese Women's mixed martial arts scene.
A former elite judo-ka, Akano, after winning the International Cup in Italy, turned professional in May 2003, and it only took a little over a year for her to step into the spotlight. In August of 2005, she won a tournament called Next Cinderella organized by the Smack Girl organization, the world's largest women's MMA promotion.
Akano then confirmed her reputation by dominating Ayako Saioka, Japan's top kickboxing / MMA warrior in December of the same year.
The biggest win in Akano's professional career came in February 15th, 2006. She faced America's legendary undefeated MMA fighter Debi Purcell at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. In this fight, Akano utilized her quickness, judo takedowns, and a variety of submission moves causing perhaps the biggest upset in the world of women's MMA in recent years.
Akano is five feet four, 130 pounds, with a professional record of 6-1.
She is set to take on Tara LaRosa in the upcoming "MFC 7: USA vs. Russia III" at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.

Q: Hitomi, how long have you been fighting and what's your background in sports?

HITOMI: Besides judo, I would say my hobby is skiing. In Japan, there is a certificate for snow skiing and I am up to the second degree.

Q: Japan, viewed by some, is the mecca of the mixed martial arts world. What's it like being a female fighter in Japan?

HITOMI: I don't really particularly think about Japan being a mecca of MMA. However I can't verbalize that ultimate emotion I get before the fight, I have never experienced that type of a feeling doing anything else. And I am having fun and also, I think I am very lucky to be in an environment where I can experience that ultimate emotion. And more than anything, the training at AACC is so much fun. The philosophy of AACC is having a fun and getting stronger. To live as a pro MMA fighter, I never felt it is a demanding life style.

A former judo-ka, Akano always goes for an ippon!

Q: Who do you train with in Japan?

HITOMI: I train at the team AACC led by Hiroyuki Abe and Megumi Fujii. Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, I practice grappling. Tuesday is all striking. Wednesday is a group practice with other professional fighters.
And Friday is a jiu-jitsu day for me. It is all part of training designed by AACC. I usually train from 7:30 pm to maybe 11:30 pm.

Q: Earlier this year in February, you defeated Debi Purcell by decision. For those who didn't see it, how did that fight go and did it go as planned?

HITOMI: When I fought Debi Purcell, first thing I thought about is to not fight in her range, and not giving her any opportunity to make a move. I knew that there is a possibility that one punch can finish it all. And on the ground, I didn't know much about Purcell's skill level but I just believed in myself and went for an ippon! (submission win)
That was my strategy. I believe I accomplished 80% of the strategy in that fight.
My impressoin on Purcell? Well, I thought she trained hard to achieve that condition and technique, and I also thought she has this mental strength to win the battle. I think she is truly a all around fighter.

Q: You won three of your first fights by arm bar. Is that your favorite submission or has the
opportunity presented itself for that particular submission?

HITOMI: Armbar is my favorite move so naturally that comes into a play in the fight.

Q: Out of all of your fights, which one was the toughest and why?

HITOMI: The opponent of my pro debut bout, Megumi Yabushita. No matter how hard I tried, shed just fended off everything. I only tasted this type of sensation in that fight. Till this date, I remember that, and I don't ever want to taste that feeling again, so I always think, I've got to get stronger.

In August of 2005, Akano defeated Takayo Hashi and won Smack Girls' rookie tournament called The Next Cinderella Tournament.

Q: In your opinion, who are the top five female fighters in the world today?

HITOMI: I don't know who belongs to top five but I believe I am the strongest. You know, I have to believe that in order for me to fight.

Q: On June 3, 2006 in Atlantic City, you will be facing Tara LaRosa. Have you seen her fight before and would would be your assessment of her as a fighter?

HITOMI: I have seen Tara fight before. As usual, I would like to go for an ippon.

Q: What is your prediction of this fight, how will this fight end?

HITOMI: Fight with my own pace, and win.

Q: Tara is considered one of the top female fighters in the world today, what would a victory over her do for your career?

HITOMI: No just one of the top fighters in the world, my goal is to be undoubtedly number one.

Q: This will be the first time you have fought in the United States, is that any added pressure for you?

HITOMI: Not at all.

Q: What are some of your goals to accomplish in this sport?

HITOMI: To become completely number one.

Akano is not just a submission artist. She is a poet, and a singer.

Q: Anything to say to your fans or sponsors?

HITOMI: I am training very hard so I can do a good fight at the MFC. If there is an opportunity, I will go for the finish, so please don't even blink during the fight and give me the support!

Q: I heard you are also a singer. Tell us about your passion for singing.

HITOMI: Singing, to me, is about expressing my feelings through my own voice. What can be more "original" than that, right?

Q: If you are not a fighter, do you think you would be singing for a living?

HITOMI: I wanted to be a singer, and I still want to be one.

Q: What kind of songs do you sing?

HITOMI: I just write lyrics based on how I feel, then I make a melody, then other musicians would work with me on arranging. I don't have a specific genre I prefer.

Q: I understand your favorite musician is Yutaka Ozaki, tell us the reason why you like his songs.

HITOMI: I really like Yukata Ozaki. He writes songs about his own feeling, and sings with ones own heart. Sometimes that doesn't reach the audience but I resonate with Yutaka Ozaki's songs. I've never felt the same with other singers.

Q: I heard you use your own song for your entrance music. Tell us more about this song. Is this your original song?

HITOMI: Yes. My original song and its called "Between the Sky." When I was a high school student, completely pooped from a judo practice, on the way home, my friend said this word and that triggered me to write this song. The experiences and memories from that time, I feel that was my point of origin.
Its sort of like a cheering tune for myself. For that reason, I am playing this song to bring up my tension.
But for MFC, I recorded a new song. So please look forward to hearing it.

Q: Since you are a former judo-ka, have you ever thought about fighting in MMA with a gi, just like Hidehiko Yoshida?

HITOMI: Nope.

Q: For a judo-ka coming into MMA, what is the first thing you need to adjust?

HITOMI: This is only my opinion but just judo only won't win it. You must learn mixed martial arts. The part of judo that is superior than the other sports, arrange that strength to the maximum into the MMA.
In terms of technique, there is so much that was not in a judo so I needed to learn new skills. But mentally, I am OK with what I acquired in judo.

This win over Debi Purcell in February 2006 secured Akano's place in the Japanese woman MMA world.

Q: Many grapplers have trouble dealing with striking to the head, how do you feel about striking and what did you do to overcome the fear of getting hit in the face?

HITOMI:Of course I had a fear towards striking in the beginning. Simply it hurts when I get hit and it also leaves a bruise. So, I slowly got rid off the fear by learning a technique to not get hit and attack.

Q: Who is your striking coach?

HITOMI:Sensei Hiroyuki Abe.

Q: In judo, if you throw an opponent, you will win the match but in MMA throwing is only a transition move. Do you think a judo-ka can KO a fighter with a judo throw?

HITOMI: In judo, dangerous actions were illegal so its not possible just as it is, but after arrangement, I think its possible.

Q: You are part of the team AACC and that means you are training with one of the best fighters in the world at 125 lbs & under, Megumi Fujii. Tell us how its like to train with world's top athlete?

HITOMI:Not only just about MMA, but also I learned the importance of having your own style.

Q: What is your ultimate goal as a pro MMA fighter?

HITOMI: I want to become what I consider an ideal, and I believe good results will follow from behind.

Q: What do you think you will be doing after your MMA career?

HITOMI: I am looking to live with music.