Valkyrie (mixed martial arts)
{{short description|MMA promoter based in Tokyo, Japan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Valkyrie
|logo = 300px
|type = Private
|predecessor = Smackgirl
|foundation = {{start date|df=yes|2008|09}}
|founder = Toyoki Kubo
|defunct = {{End date|df=yes|2011}}
|fate= Dissolved
|industry = Mixed martial arts promotion
|parent = GCM Communication Co. Ltd.
|homepage = {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120235224/http://valkyrie.livedoor.biz/ |date=20 November 2011 |title=Official website }}
|location_city = Tokyo
|location_country =Japan
|key_people = Toyoki Kubo (GCM president)
Yasuko Mogi (producer, matchmaker)
}}
{{Nihongo|Valkyrie|ヴァルキリー|Varukirī}}, sometimes styled VALKYRIE in capitals, was a women's mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. It was the sister of Japanese MMA promotion Cage Force, both operated by Greatest Common Multiple (GCM) Communication. Contrary to other Japanese women MMA promotions at the time, it featured a cage instead of a ring and used the same venues as Cage Force.
History
Around {{start date|df=yes|2004}}, GCM Communication, the parent company of Japanese promotion Cage Force, had already hosted some all-women MMA events named Cross Section{{Cite web
| url = http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Valkyrie-Takes-Flight-Nov-8-14700
| title = Valkyrie Takes Flight Nov. 8
| author = Breen, Jordan
| date = 8 October 2008
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = USA
| access-date = 23 August 2010
}} and with the imminent dissolution of female MMA promotion Smackgirl, GCM Communication announced at the event Cage Force 08 on {{start date|df=yes|2008|09|27}} that the company would hold a new all-female promotion which would be named Valkyrie and would have its first event on {{start date|df=yes|2008|11|08}} in a double-header event with Cage Force.{{cite web
| url = http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2008_09/0928_gcm.htm
| title = 【GCM】11・8金網の女子総合格闘技イベント旗揚げ！辻結花の参戦決定
| date = 28 September 2008
| work = News
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 3 July 2013
| url = http://www.boutreview.com/2/news/valkyrie/item_1210.html
| script-title=ja:女子版ケージフォースが11.8ディファで旗揚げ
| author = Ihara, Yoshinori
| date = 28 September 2008
| work = News
| publisher = Bout Review
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 3 July 2013
}} Takeshi Nagao, a former Smackgirl executive, and Yasuko Mogi were appointed as producers. Mogi announced several details of the promotion, such as the weight classes and the rules, which would be essentially the same as those used in Cage Force, and also that former Smackgirl Lightweight Champion Yuka Tsuji would participate in the promotion in a match against Mei Yamaguchi.{{cite web
| url = http://www.adcombat.com/news/2008-09-29/valkyrie-11082008-womens-version-cage-force-begins
| title = VALKYRIE – 11/08/2008: 'Women's Version of Cage Force Begins!'
| author = Hirata, Shu
| date = 28 September 2008
| work = News
| publisher = ADCC News
| location = United States
| access-date = 3 July 2013
}} Other matches would be announced at later dates. As part of its business strategy, Valkyrie events were held before Cage Force, in this way sharing venue, cage and other resources.{{cite web
| url = http://www.adcombat.com/news/2009-03-12/valkyrie-04252009-smart-strategy-about-japanese-womens-mma
| title = VALKYRIE – 04/25/2009: Smart Strategy? – About Japanese Women's MMA
| author = Hirata, Shu
| date = 11 March 2009
| work = News
| publisher = ADCC News
| location = United States
| access-date = 8 July 2013
}}
Valkyrie first event was held as planned on {{start date|df=yes|2008|11|08}}, with a card featuring a victorious Tsuji, Yasuko Tamada, Tomomi Sunaba and Roxanne Modafferi against their rivals.{{Cite web
| url = http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Tsuji-Decisions-Hajime-at-Valkyrie-Premiere-Modafferi-Victorious-15082
| title = Tsuji Decisions Hajime at Valkyrie Premiere; Modafferi Victorious
| author = Loiseleur, Tony
| date = 8 November 2008
| work = Articles
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = USA
| access-date = 3 July 2013
}}
In its second event, Valkyrie 02, on {{start date|df=yes|2009|04|25}}, Valkyrie crowned its first featherweight champion with Yuka Tsuji defeating American fighter Kate Martinez{{cite web
| url = http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/4/25/852875/tsuji-subs-martinez-miyazawa-rolls
| title = Tsuji Subs Martinez, Miyazawa Rolls at Valkyrie/Cage Force Double-Header
| author = Nelson, Chris
| date = 25 April 2009
| publisher = Bloody Elbow
| location = United States
| access-date = 8 July 2013
| url = http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/Cage-Force-Headliner-Scrapped-Tsuji-Takes-Valkyrie-Crown-17183
| title = Cage Force Headliner Scrapped; Tsuji Takes Valkyrie Crown
| author = Loiseleur, Tony
| date = 25 April 2009
| work = Articles
| page = 2
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = United States
| access-date = 8 July 2013
}}
The next Valkyrie event, title Cage Force & Valkyrie, was co-promoted with Cage Force and featured three female bouts. It took place on {{Start date|df=yes|2009|07|12}}.{{cite web
| url = http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Hamanaka-Wins-by-DQ-in-Cage-Force-18483
| title = Hamanaka Wins by DQ in Cage Force
| author = Endow, Wesley
| date = 12 July 2009
| work = News
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = United States
| access-date = 10 July 2013
| url = http://www.boutreview.com/2/reports/valkyrie/090712cageforce2.html
| title = V一、接戦制す。辻結花への再挑戦権獲得
| author = Kuno, Yoshi
| date = 15 July 2009
| work = Reports
| publisher = Bout Review
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}} Mei Yamaguchi won the tournament to become the next challenger for the featherweight title.
Valkyrie 03 was held on {{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|24}}.{{cite web
| url = http://www.boutreview.com/2/reports/valkyrie/091024valkyrie.html
| title = 瀧本、茂木にTKO勝ち。大室は判定勝ち
| author = Kuno, Yoshi
| date = 29 October 2009
| work = Reports
| publisher = Bout Review
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}} Due to an injury, Yuka Tsuji would be unable to defend her title against Mei Yamaguchi, so it was decided to postpone that match for another event.{{cite web
| url = http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2009_08/0827_gcm.htm
| title = 【ヴァルキリー】10・24辻結花が怪我で欠場、V一とのタイトル戦は延期
| date = 27 August 2009
| work = News
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}} Due to this, Yasuko Mogi stepped up to fight again against Misaki Takimoto in the main bout.{{cite web
| url = http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2009_09/0930_gcm.htm
| title = 【ヴァルキリー】10・24瀧本美咲VS茂木康子が決定！「練習仲間だけどむしろ殴りたい」（茂木）
| date = 30 September 2009
| work = News
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}} Future Jewels featherweight champion Naho Sugiyama debuted professionally in this event.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2009/10/25/greatest-common-multiple-valkyrie-3-results/
| title = Greatest Common Multiple: "Valkyrie 3" Results
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 25 October 2009
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}}
On {{Start date|df=yes|2010|02|11}} Valkyrie 04 was held. The event featured as the main bout Yuka Tsuji against Mei Yamaguchi for the featherweight title as well as the first round of the flyweight tournament to crown the first champion of the promotion.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2010/02/11/greatest-common-multiple-valkyrie-4-results/
| title = Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 4" Results
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 11 February 2010
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}} In a big upset in the history of women's MMA, Yamaguchi defeated Tsuji in the first round of their match, becoming the featherweight champion, and giving Tsuji her second professional defeat and the first since 2003.{{Cite web
| url = http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Yamaguchi-Stuns-Tsuji-at-Valkyrie-4-22591
| title = Yamaguchi Stuns Tsuji at Valkyrie 4
| author = Breen, Jordan
| date = 11 February 2010
| work = Articles
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = United States
| access-date = 10 July 2013
|url = http://www.adcombat.com/news/2010-02-17/valkyrie-04-02112010-v-hajime-shocked-yuka-tsuji-capturing-valkyrie-title
|title = VALKYRIE 04 – 02/11/2010: V Hajime Shocked Yuka Tsuji Capturing the Valkyrie Title!
|author = Hirata, Shu
|date = 17 February 2010
|publisher = ADCC News
|access-date = 10 July 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100220214052/http://www.adcombat.com/news/2010-02-17/valkyrie-04-02112010-v-hajime-shocked-yuka-tsuji-capturing-valkyrie-title
|archive-date = 20 February 2010
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}
For the next event, Valkyrie 05 held on {{Start date|df=yes|2010|04|11}}, Yasuko Tamada was originally slated to face Naoko Omuro for Valkyrie's flyweight championship, but Omuro suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw, being replaced by Yukiko Seki, who took the fight on short notice.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2010/04/11/greatest-common-multiple-valkyrie-5-results/
| title = Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 5" Results
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 11 April 2010
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}} and the championship bout was postponed until {{Start date|df=yes|2010|06}}. A few days before the event, Ayame Miura got injured and was replaced by Megumi Yabushita.{{cite web
| url = http://www.adcombat.com/news/2010-04-07/valkyrie-04112010-megumi-yabushita-back-ring-weekend
| title = VALKYRIE – 04/11/2010: Megumi Yabushita Back in the Ring This Weekend!
| author = Hirata, Shu
| date = 7 April 2010
| publisher = ADCC News
| location = United States
| access-date = 10 July 2013
}} Yabushita and Kyoko Takabayashi, who defeated standout Emi Fujino, were the more notable winners of the event.{{cite web
|url = http://www.adcombat.com/news/2010-04-12/valkyrie-04112010-takabayashi-edges-out-fujino-yabushita-submits-kasai-and-more-full
|title = VALKYRIE – 04/11/2010: Takabayashi Edges Out Fujino, Yabushita Submits Kasai and More – Full Results
|author = Hirata, Shu
|date = 12 April 2010
|publisher = ADCC News
|location = United States
|access-date = 10 July 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707084411/http://www.adcombat.com/news/2010-04-12/valkyrie-04112010-takabayashi-edges-out-fujino-yabushita-submits-kasai-and-more-full
|archive-date = 7 July 2011
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}
On {{Start date|df=yes|2010|06|19}}, Valkyrie 06 was held. During the event, future star Rin Nakai beat seasoned veteran Megumi Yabushita and in the flyweight tournament final Yasuko Tamada defeated Naoko Omuro to become Valkyrie's first champion in that weight.{{Cite web
| url = http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/06/19/yasuko-tamada-captures-flyweight-title-rin-nakai-moves-to-7-0-a
| title = Yasuko Tamada Captures Flyweight Title, Rin Nakai moves to 7–0 at Valkyrie
| author = Herbertson, Daniel
| date = 19 June 2010
| publisher = MMAFighting.com
| location = USA
| access-date = 11 July 2013
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2010/06/19/greatest-common-multiple-valkyrie-6-results/
| title = Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 6" Results
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 19 June 2010
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 11 July 2013
}}
Valkyrie 07, held on {{Start date|df=yes|2010|09|26}}, was an event with only three professional MMA bouts, two of which were part of the tournament to crown the first openweight champion of the promotion.{{cite web
| url = http://gbring.com/sokuho/result/result2010_09/0926_valkyrie.htm
| script-title=ja:【ヴァルキリー】中井りんが鮮やかな一本勝ち！トーナメント決勝は佐藤瑞穂と
| date = 26 September 2010
| work = Results
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 11 July 2013
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2010/09/27/rin-nakai-moves-to-8-0-at-gcm-valkyrie-7/
| title = Rin Nakai Moves To 8–0 At GCM: Valkyrie 7
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 27 September 2010
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 11 July 2013
}} Rin Nakai and Mizuho Sato advanced to the final of the tournament.
For the next event of the promotion, Valkyrie 08, Rin Nakai and Mizuho Sato were set to fight for Valkyrie openweight title and Mei Yamaguchi would fight against Kyoko Takabayashi to defend Valkyrie featherweight title.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/news/2010/09/28/two-title-fights-set-for-valkyrie-8-in-november/
| title = Two Title Fights Set For Valkyrie 8 In November
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 27 September 2010
| work = News
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 11 July 2013
}} On {{Start date|df=yes|2010|11|28}} the event took place, with Nakai becoming the openweight champion and Yamaguchi barely defending the featherweight title with a majority draw in a very controversial decision.{{Cite web
| url = http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/VHajime-Retains-Nakai-Nabs-Valkyrie-Open-Weight-Title-28413
| title = 'V-Hajime' Retains, Nakai Nabs Valkyrie Open Weight Title
| author = Loiseleur, Tony
| date = 28 November 2010
| work = News
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = United States
| access-date = 11 July 2013
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2010/11/28/greatest-common-multiple-valkyrie-8-results/
| title = Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 8" Results
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 28 November 2010
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 11 July 2013
}} Also notably, Naho Sugiyama defeated flyweight champion Yasuko Tamada in a non-title bout.
After several months with no news from the promotion, on {{start date|df=yes|2011|04|13}}, in a notable development for female MMA promotions in Japan, Yasuko Mogi, matchmaker of Valkyrie, in an effort to keep Valkyrie alive, given that GCM Communication was apparently out of business with no other event planned, was present during the press conference of Jewels and announced along with Shigeru Saeki, Jewels matchmaker, that some of the MMA bouts of the {{Start date|df=yes|2011|05|14}} Jewels event would have the theme Jewels vs Valkyrie, where fighters representing their respective promotions would face each other, starting with Misaki Takimoto vs. Naho Sugiyama and Miyoko Kusaka vs. Sachiko Yamamoto.{{cite web
| url = http://frankp316.blogspot.com/2011/04/jewels-vs-valkyrie-set-for-may-14.html
| title = Ham Seo Hee released from JEWELS, Ishioka vs Celine for tournament slot
| author = Pozen, Frank
| date = 13 April 2011
| location = Canada
| access-date = 3 July 2013
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/news/2011/04/13/four-fights-announced-for-may-14-jewels-doubleheader/
| title = Four Fights Announced For May 14 Jewels Doubleheader
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 13 April 2011
| work = News
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 3 July 2013
| url = http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2011_04/0413_jewels.htm
| script-title=ja:【ジュエルス】5・14ヴァルキリーとの戦争勃発！「勝ち続けてジュエルスをのっとる」（茂木）
| date = 13 April 2011
| work = News
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 5 May 2011
}}
After the Jewels vs. Valkyrie theme in Jewels 13th Ring & 14th Ring, followed also in Jewels 15th Ring, and due to the lack of Valkyrie events, fighters from the Valkyrie promotion started joining rival Japanese promotion Jewels.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmaviking.com/v-v-travels-to-finland-for-bp/
| title = Exclusive : V.V Travels to Finland for First Time to Challenge Nordic’s Best Kankaanpää
| date = 6 March 2012
| publisher = MMA Viking
| location = Sweden
| access-date = 2 July 2013
}} Some of them had already participated in other MMA promotions already.
On {{Start date|df=yes|2011|11|11}}, members of Wajyutsu Keisyukai announced the formation of a new players association to separate themselves from GCM Communication and its president Toyoki Kubo{{cite web
| url = http://www.boutreview.com/2/news/mma/item_8346.html
| script-title=ja:新組織「和術慧舟會選手会」始動。創始者の西良典氏も了承
| date = 11 November 2011
| publisher = Bout Review
| location = Japan
| language = ja
|trans-title=New Wajyutsu Keisyukai players association starting. Founder, Yoshinori Nishi, consents.
| access-date = 2 July 2013
| url = http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2011_11/1111_news.htm
| script-title=ja:【ニュース】和術慧舟會が和術慧舟會選手会として再スタート
| date = 11 November 2011
| work = News
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
|trans-title=News – Wajyutsu Keisyukai new start as Wajyutsu Keisyukai Senshukai
| access-date = 2 July 2013
}} due to the lack of activity of GCM Communication which had not held any new MMA event since {{start date|df=yes|2010|11|28}} and had not paid storage fees and other payments. A few weeks later, at Jewels 17th Ring on {{Start date|df=yes|2013|12|17}} Yasuko Mogi became the matchmaker of Jewels and this effectively meant the end for the Valkyrie promotion.
Rules
Generally speaking, the rules were based on Cage Force rules, which in turn were similar to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, minus elbow strikes to the head and no ground-and-pound in amateur bouts.{{cite web
| url = http://www.adcombat.com/news/2008-10-20/valkyrie-11082008-once-again-different-set-rules-girls
| title = VALKYRIE – 11/08/2008: 'Once Again, Different Set of Rules for Girls'
| author = Hirata, Shu
| date = 19 October 2008
| publisher = ADCC News
| location = United States
| access-date = 11 July 2013
|url = http://valkyrie.livedoor.biz/val_rules_pro.pdf
|title = VALKYRIE Rules
|date = 1 June 2010
|publisher = Valkyrie
|location = Japan
|language = ja
|type = Regulation
|format = PDF
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110901033827/http://valkyrie.livedoor.biz/val_rules_pro.pdf
|archive-date=1 September 2011
|url-status = dead
|access-date = 11 July 2013
}} With respect to the length of matches, regular bouts were three three-minute rounds and title bouts were three five-minute rounds.
=Weight classes=
These were the official weight classes used by the promotion.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!Weight class name !Upper limit |
| align="center"
|align="left"|Flyweight |{{convert|48|kg|lb st|1|abbr=on}} |
| align="center"
|align="left"|Bantamweight |{{convert|52|kg|lb st|1|abbr=on}} |
| align="center"
|align="left"|Featherweight |{{convert|58|kg|lb st|1|abbr=on}} |
| align="center"
|align="left"|Lightweight |{{convert|64|kg|lb st|1|abbr=on}} |
| align="center"
|align="left"|Welterweight |{{convert|70|kg|lb st|1|abbr=on}} |
| align="center"
|align="left"|Openweight |No weight restrictions |
Valkyrie events
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Event name | Date | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valkyrie 08 | {{dts|format=dmy|2010|11|28}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Valkyrie 07 | {{dts|format=dmy|2010|9|26}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Valkyrie 06 | {{dts|format=dmy|2010|6|19}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Valkyrie 05 | {{dts|format=dmy|2010|4|11}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Valkyrie 04 | {{dts|format=dmy|2010|2|11}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Valkyrie 03 | {{dts|format=dmy|2009|10|24}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Cage Force & Valkyrie | {{dts|format=dmy|2009|7|12}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Valkyrie 02 | {{dts|format=dmy|2009|4|25}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
| Valkyrie 01 Cage Force-EX | {{dts|format=dmy|2008|11|8}} | Differ Ariake Arena | Ariake, Tokyo, Japan |
Champions
| class="wikitable"
!Class!!Champion!!Period!!Defenses | |||
| Openweight | {{Flag icon|JPN}} Rin Nakai | {{Start date|df=yes|2010|11|28}}—{{End date|df=yes|2011}} | 0 |
| Featherweight | {{Flag icon|JPN}} Mei Yamaguchi | {{Start date|df=yes|2010|02|11}}—{{End date|df=yes|2011}} | 1 |
| Featherweight | {{Flag icon|JPN}} Yuka Tsuji | {{Start date|df=yes|2009|04|25}}—{{End date|df=yes|2010|02|11}} | 0 |
| Flyweight | {{Flag icon|JPN}} Yasuko Tamada | {{Start date|df=yes|2010|06|19}}—{{End date|df=yes|2011}} | 0 |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120235224/http://valkyrie.livedoor.biz/ |date=20 November 2011 |title=Official website }} {{in lang|ja}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100831225053/http://kakutoh.com/pc/blog/valkyrie/ Official blog (old)] {{in lang|ja}}
{{MMA organizations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Valkyrie (Mixed Martial Arts)}}
Category:2008 establishments in Japan
Category:2011 disestablishments in Japan
Category:Defunct mixed martial arts promotions
Category:Organizations established in 2008