The
battle began with a beautiful throw (seoi nage) by
a former national judo champion, Megumi Yabushita.
But Roxanne Modafferi was calm. From the
bottom, she went for an armbar and when Yabushita began dropping
fists, Roxanne slid to the side reversed the position and
got the back-mount position.
Roxanne was riding a bit high but landed a series of punches
to Yabushita's head.
The second round once again belonged to Roxanne.
She wobbled Yabushita with a right hook and when Yabushita
went for another judo throw, Roxanne pushed Yabushita to the
ground, securing a back-mount position, again, landing numerous
punches to all areas of Yabushita's head.
Roxanne revealed to the reporters after the fight that punches
were light because she wanted to maintain her position and
also, she was trying to set up for a rear naked choke.
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Roxanne Modafferi
maintained this position and scored points for a unanimous
win over Megumi Yabushita. |
There was a real contrast between the two fighters.
Roxanne displayed her improvement in both boxing skill and
in the category called "doing it the Japanese way"
- she grabbed the microphone after the fight, in the ring,
and expressed her cherished desire to fight Amanda
Buckner and Laura D'Auguste.
Yabushita, on the other end, backstage, seemed refreshed and
carefree as usual but somehow very tired both physically and
mentally, "Besides winning and losing, I am disappointed
that I couldn't show my handles and drape out there. In a
turtle position, I waited for a referee to step in to break
us up, thinking like (Shooto's) C+ rules. (Instead of Class
B rules)"
Roxanne moved to Japan last year and since then she has been
training with Japan's royalty in MMA, Wajiu-tsu Keishu-kai,
and is now back on her winning track.
Yabushita, now lost four out of her last six fights, all to
top fighters from the states. She has been a forefront runner
of Japan's women MMA for the past five years, but recently
announced, as of end of this month, she is closing her dojo,
SOD Woman's MMA Dojo.
"I am feeling sorry to the fighters and members (of
the dojo) but I am hoping this would trigger something new.
In regards to my future plans, I would like to consult with
the others before announcing them."
Other Photos & Official Results
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