Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii is one of the best pound-for-pound female mixed martial artist in the world. Currently at 25 wins – 1 loss* (Sherdog). We had the unique privilege to talk to her and get the latest. Due to the brevity of Twitter and the fact that we cannot read Japanese (without the help of Google Translator), this interview is fairly brief. Answers were able to be expanded due to the great work of the guys at The Grappling Dummy and director Matt Benyon. Watch video at the bottom of the article to view.
To visit Megumi’s official website (in Japanese), click image above.
1, How did you begin the martial arts & fighting competitions?
On the recommendation of my father (a strong Judo practitioner), I began studying judo at the age of three and continued up until about 22 years of age. Did Sambo, Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling/Grappling starting at 23. I was 30 years old when I started in Mixed Martial Arts. I wanted new and challenging things.
I wondered what I could do to take advantage of my experience, so I decided on MMA.
I’m motivated to do things other people have never done. When everyone else will give up. I am different. I won’t.
2, How do you spend your day
Always weight & MMA training. I never get bored with this. I feel uncomfortable when I am not training! And there’s no secret. You have to train hard to win.
3, What exercises do you enjoy training with the most?
Push ups!
4, Who are some of your favorite athletes/influences?
Josh Barnett, Fedor Emelianenko and Frank Edgar
5, What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to watch movies, go to dinner with friends and play with cats. (=^^=)
6, What goes through your mind or what do you think about before your fight?
Before the fight, comes a feeling of fear…and fun. Nearing the fight, I try to soothe my mind – Nothing in the mind. Once the fight starts I think about my strategy. And I move!
7, More of your fights are going to the decision – Has this been a result of a strategy change?
I like to finish the fights and have the audience rejoice. My last big fight (Zoila Gurgel) I wanted to win badly, but lost (to the decision). In the future, fight to the finish!
8, What is your favorite “finishing move” to use in a fight?
My favorite techniques are the ankle-lock and the arm-bar.
9, At the age of 37, how much longer would you like to compete? Afterwards, what do you want to do?
I will be 38 in May. This year I am going to continue to work hard and fight. Next year… that I do not yet know.
10, Your perfect undefeated record ended with Ziola Gurgel. How did you feel about how that fight went? What did you wish you did differently?
Zoila is a great fighter. I thought I really won that fight, but lost instead. I wanted to ask the referee, “How can this be?” To lose a “perfect record” is very disappointing. Since the match was in the United States, I did have some jet lag and fatigue. But I’m eager for a rematch. Hopefully I’ll be back in the United States soon!
Bonus,
What is your favorite cartoon?
Sponge Bob ! ! !
We at the Combative Corner, Thank Megumi for her time and consideration and wish her the very best.
我々は Combative Corner で彼女の時間と配慮のためにめぐみに感謝し、彼女の非常に最善を尽くしたいと思います。
VIDEO INTERVIEW [ENGLISH SUBTITLES]
*Responses in italics expanded from GrapplingDummy’s interview- Sept. 2010
*Megumi Fujii stats are from Sherdog.Com
Fans had something to cheer about Saturday night, March 3rd, 2012 as the quick upstart, Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey defeated Miesha “Takedown” Tate to become the new women’s bantamweight champion. An Olympic bronze medalist in Judo, Rousey began her pro MMA start only a year ago and now holds the belt from 5-year veteran Tate. Noted for her solid armbars, many of Rousey’s fans knew that it would just be a matter of time before Tate would get caught.
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