Yuka Tsuji
{{short description|Japanese MMA fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Yuka Tsuji
| other_names = Vale Tudo Queen
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|12|11|mf=y}}
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| nationality = Japanese
| weight = {{convert|115|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = Featherweight (52.2 kg – 56.7 kg) (Valkyrie)
Lightweight (under 52 kg) (Smackgirl)
| reach =
| style =
| stance =
| fighting_out_of = Osaka, Japan
| rank =
| years_active =
| mma_kowin = 2
| mma_subwin = 16
| mma_decwin = 6
| mma_koloss =
| mma_subloss = 3
| mma_decloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 6983
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
{{MedalTableTop|name=no|medals=
{{MedalSport | Women's freestyle wrestling }}
{{MedalCountry | {{JPN}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | Asian Championships }}
{{MedalBronze | 1997 Taipei | -51kg }}
}}
{{nihongo|Yuka Tsuji|辻結花|Tsuji Yuka|born {{Birth date|1974|12|11}}}}{{cite web|url=http://www.angura.net/fighting%20girls%20hp%20data/jyoshi_profile.html |title=Profile at Angura.net |publisher=Angura.net |access-date=2009-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719175621/http://www.angura.net/fighting%20girls%20hp%20data/jyoshi_profile.html |archive-date=July 19, 2008 }} is a Japanese female mixed martial artist whose nickname is Vale Tudo Queen.
Tsuji was a prolific female mixed martial artist in the 2000s. Tsuji is a former Smackgirl tournament winner, Smackgirl Lightweight Champion and Valkyrie Featherweight Champion. MMA ranking system portal Fight Matrix ranked Tsuji as the #1 pound-for-pound Female Mixed Martial artist in the world in the years 2002, 2004 and 2005.[http://www.fightmatrix.com/fightmatrix-awards/ MMA Awards]. Fight Matrix. Retrieved on 26 January 2016. Between 2002 and her retirement from MMA in 2012, she had frequently placed in the Top 5 of women's MMA fighters in flyweight and strawweight classes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightmatrix.com/fighter-profile/Yuka+Tsuji/12953/|title = Fighter Profile}}
Early life
Tsuji was born on {{Birth date|1974|12|11}} in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. She graduated from the prestigious Chukyo Women's University; a university notable for its wrestling family. During her time there, Tsuji placed third in Women's Freestyle Wrestling (51 kg) in the 1997 Asian Championship.{{cite web
| url = http://femalemixedmartialartists.blogspot.com/2009/09/female-mma-yuka-tsuji.html
| title = Female MMA - Yuka Tsuji
| date = 2009-09-14
| publisher = Female MMA
| access-date = 2010-08-29
| url = http://www.411mania.com/MMA/columns/113910
| title = Introducing the Ladies 8.20.09: 10 Female MMA Stars You Need To Know
| author = Kuczkowski, Scott
| date = 2009-08-20
| publisher = 411mania.com
| location = USA
| access-date = 2010-08-29
Mixed martial arts career
Tsuji spent the majority of her career competing in the now-defunct Smackgirl promotion. She debuted with defunct promotion Ax on {{Start date|2001|12|26}} in the event Ax - Vol. 2: We Want To Shine with a victory by submission (armbar) over the previously undefeated Ikuma Hoshino, who at the time was the most accomplished female Japanese MMA fighter.{{cite web
| url = http://skillmma.blogspot.com/2010/06/japanese-defunct-mma-event-list.html
| title = Japanese Defunct MMA Event List
| date = 2010-06-22
| publisher = Skill MMA
| access-date = 2010-08-29
}} This would be Hoshino's only loss in her MMA career.
Tsuji debuted in Smackgirl at Smackgirl - Royal Smack 2002 on {{Start date|2002|4|07}}, defeating Hiromi Oka by submission due to a rear naked choke. Including her debut, Tsuji would go on a winning streak of 8 consecutive victories; in the process winning the Smackgirl Japan 2002 Cup Middleweight Tournament on {{Start date|2005|6|28}}. In her ninth professional bout, she faced Brazilian fighter Ana Michelle Tavares. Tavares defeated Tsuji with a triangle armbar submission in Tsuji's debut for the Deep promotion at Deep - 11th Impact on {{Start date|2003|7|13}}. In this match, Tsuji injured her left shoulder. This was Tsuji's first defeat in MMA. She avenged this loss years later.
After her first loss, Tsuji won her next four fights and then faced Hisae Watanabe at Smackgirl - Road to Dynamic!! for the first Smackgirl Lightweight Championship on {{Start date|2005|06|28}}. Tsuji won the title after defeating Watanabe by armbar at 3:51 of the first round. She would go on to successfully defend the title five times until the demise of the Smackgirl promotion.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2009/10/03/womens-mma-division-part-two/
| title = Women's MMA Division, Part Two
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2009-10-03
| publisher = MMARising.com
| access-date = 2010-08-29
}}
On {{Start date|2007|9|06}}, Tsuji would get the chance to face Tavares again. At the event Smackgirl - Queens' Hottest Summer, Tsuji was able to avenge her only loss at the time by defeating Tavares via KO at 4:47 of the first round. After defending her title for the last time against South Korean Seo Hee Ham, Tsuji debuted in Valkyrie at the promotion's inaugural event Valkyrie 1 on {{Start date|2008|11|08}}, where she defeated Mei Yamaguchi by decision.{{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 = 2008-11-08
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = USA
| access-date = 2010-08-29
}} Tsuji became the first Valkyrie Featherweight Champion on {{Start date|2009|4|25}} by defeating American fighter Kate Martinez.{{cite web|author=Sherdog.com|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Yuka-Tsuji-6983|title=Fight Finder - Yuka "Vale Tudo Queen" Tsuji's Mixed Martial Arts Statistics|publisher=Sherdog.com|access-date=2009-05-01}}{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/news/2009042501.html
| title = Valkyrie: Valkyrie 2 Results
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2009-04-25
| publisher = MMARising.com
| access-date = 2010-08-29
}}
Her 14-fight winning streak came to an end on {{Start date|2010|02|11}} when she rematched Mei Yamaguchi, who this time was able to defeat Tsuji with a rear-naked choke in only 76 seconds.{{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 = 2010-02-11
| publisher = Sherdog
| location = USA
| access-date = 2010-08-28
}} This was just the second time that Tsuji was defeated and the first time that she was defeated by a fellow Japanese fighter.{{cite web
| 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 = 2010-02-17
| publisher = ADCC News
| access-date = 2010-08-29
}} This is considered one of the biggest upsets in the history of women's mixed martial arts.{{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 = 2010-02-11
| publisher = MMARising.com
| access-date = 2010-08-29
}}
Having recovered from surgery on her knee and shoulder, Tsuji returned to MMA in a Jewels vs. Valkyrie bout against Saori Ishioka at Jewels 15th Ring on {{Start date|2011|07|09}} in Tokyo, Japan.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/news/2011/06/01/yuka-tsuji-to-face-saori-ishioka-at-jewels-15th-ring/
| title = Yuka Tsuji To Face Saori Ishioka At Jewels: "15th Ring"
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2011-06-01
| work = News
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 2011-06-01
| url = http://www.kakutoh.com/pc/blog/jewels/2011/06/15th_ringvs.php
| title = 15th RING：石岡沙織vs辻結花、決定！
| date = 2011-06-02
| publisher = Jewels official blog
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 2011-06-02
}} She defeated Ishioka by unanimous decision.{{cite web
| url = http://gbring.com/sokuho/result/result2011_07/0709_jewels.htm
| script-title=ja:【ジュエルス】2大女王強し！辻結花が石岡沙織を、藤井惠が長野美香を撃退
| date = 2011-07-09
| work = Results
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 2011-07-11
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2011/07/09/jewels-15th-ring-live-play-by-play-results/
| title = Jewels: "15th Ring" Live Play-By-Play & Results
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2011-07-09
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 2011-07-11
}}
Tsuji faced Ayaka Hamasaki in a Jewels lightweight title fight at Jewels 19th Ring on {{Start date|2012|05|26}} in Osaka, Japan.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/news/2012/03/03/ayaka-hamasaki-vs-yuka-tsuji-set-for-jewels-19th-ring/
| title = Ayaka Hamasaki vs Yuka Tsuji Set For Jewels: "19th Ring"
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2012-03-03
| work = News
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 2012-03-03
}} She was defeated by submission due to a kimura in the first round.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2012/05/26/ayaka-hamasaki-naho-sugiyama-win-at-jewels-19th-ring/
| title = Ayaka Hamasaki, Naho Sugiyama Win At Jewels: "19th Ring"
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2012-05-26
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 2012-05-26
}}
On {{Start date|2012|09|29}}, Tsuji faced Hyo Kyung Song at Deep Osaka Impact 2012.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/news/2012/08/29/yuka-tsuji-faces-hyo-kyung-song-at-deep-osaka-impact-2012/
| title = Yuka Tsuji Faces Hyo Kyung Song At DEEP: Osaka Impact 2012
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2012-08-29
| work = News
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 2012-08-29
| url = http://www.gbring.com/sokuho/news/2012_08/0829_deep.htm
| title = 【DEEP】9・29辻結花の再起戦は美女韓国人ファイターが相手
| date = 2012-08-29
| work = News
| publisher = God Bless the Ring
| location = Japan
| language = ja
| access-date = 2012-08-29
}} She defeated Song by technical submission due to an armbar in the first round.{{cite web
| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2012/09/30/yuka-tsuji-secures-quick-win-at-deep-osaka-impact-2012/
| title = Yuka Tsuji Secures Quick Win At DEEP: Osaka Impact 2012
| author = Sargent, Robert
| date = 2012-09-30
| work = Articles
| publisher = MMARising.com
| location = Canada
| access-date = 2012-10-01
}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=2
|ko-losses=0
|sub-wins=16
|sub-losses=3
|dec-wins=6
|dec-losses=0
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 24-3
| Hyo Kyung Song
| Technical Submission (armbar)
| Deep: Osaka Impact 2012
| {{dts|2012|September|29}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:27
| Osaka, Japan
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 23-3
| Submission (kimura)
| Jewels 19th Ring
| {{dts|2012|May|26}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:41
| Osaka, Japan
| For Jewels Lightweight (115 lbs) Queen Championship
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 23-2
| Decision (unanimous)
| {{dts|2011|July|09}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 22-2
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Valkyrie 04
| {{dts|2010|February|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:16
| Tokyo, Japan
| Lost Valkyrie Featherweight Championship
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 22-1
| Kate Martinez
| Submission (armbar)
| Valkyrie 02
| {{dts|2009|April|25}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:20
| Tokyo, Japan
| Won inaugural Valkyrie Featherweight Championship{{cite web|author=Sherdog.com|url=http://www.sherdog.com/events/GCM-Valkyrie-2-9756|title=Fight Finder - GCM Valkyrie 2 Mixed Martial Arts Statistics|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=2009-04-25|access-date=2009-05-01}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 21-1
| Decision (unanimous)
| Valkyrie 01
| {{dts|2008|November|08}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 3:00
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 20-1
| Decision (unanimous)
| Smackgirl - Starting Over
| {{dts|2007|December|26}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Tokyo, Japan
| Defended Smackgirl Lightweight Championship{{cite web|author=Sherdog.com|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Tsuji-Defends-Smackgirl-Lightweight-Title-10525|title=Tsuji Defends Smackgirl Lightweight Title|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=2007-12-26|access-date=2009-05-01}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 19-1
| Ana Michelle Tavares
| TKO (punches)
| Smackgirl - Queens' Hottest Summer
| {{dts|2007|September|6}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:47
| Tokyo, Japan
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 18-1
| Thricia Poovey
| TKO (punches)
| Smackgirl - The Dance of the Taisho Romance
| {{dts|2007|April|28}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:10
| Osaka, Japan
| Defended Smackgirl Lightweight Championship{{cite web|author=Sherdog.com|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/Koubousen-Companion-News-and-Notes-From-Japan-6980|title=Koubousen Companion: News and Notes From Japan|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=2007-03-14|access-date=2009-05-01}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 17-1
| Tomomi Sunaba
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Smackgirl - Top Girl Battle
| {{dts|2006|June|30}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:19
| Tokyo, Japan
| Defended Smackgirl Lightweight Championship in a "Winner Take All" match (Tsuji received both fight purses).
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16-1
| Cami Hostetler
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Queen's Triumphant Return
| {{dts|2006|April|22}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:19
| Osaka, Japan
| Defended Smackgirl Lightweight Championship{{cite web|url=http://www.boutreviewusa.com/FightNews/smackgirl/4-22.html|title=Smack Girl 04/22/2006|publisher=Boutreviewusa.com|date=2009-04-22|access-date=2009-05-01}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15-1
| Miyuki Ariga
| Submission (heel hook)
| MARS
| {{dts|2006|February|4}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:44
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14-1
| Maiko Ohkada
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Dynamic!!
| {{dts|2005|August|17}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:10
| Tokyo, Japan
| Defended Smackgirl Lightweight Championship
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13-1
| Hisae Watanabe
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Road to Dynamic!!
| {{dts|2005|June|28}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:51
| Tokyo, Japan
| Won Smackgirl Lightweight Championship{{cite web|author=Sherdog.com|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Nippon-Joho-The-Lightweight-Wars-2970|title=Nippon Joho: The Lightweight Wars|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=2005-06-09|access-date=2009-05-01}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12-1
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Holy Land Triumphal Return
| {{dts|2004|August|5}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 4:00
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11-1
| Chiaki Kawabita
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Go West
| {{dts|2004|June|9}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:19
| Osaka, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10-1
| Mayumi Hashiba
| Submission (kneebar)
| Smackgirl - F8
| {{dts|2004|May|16}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:20
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9-1
| Kaliopi Yeitsuidou
| Decision (unanimous)
| Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003
| {{dts|2003|December|31}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Kobe, Japan
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 8-1
| Ana Michelle Tavares
| Submission (triangle armbar)
| {{dts|2003|July|13}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:55
| Osaka, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8-0
| Tomomi Sunaba
| Technical Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Third Season 2
| {{dts|2003|April|2}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:37
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7-0
| Decision (unanimous)
| Smackgirl - Japan Cup 2002 Grand Final
| {{dts|2002|December|29}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Tokyo, Japan
| Became 2002 Japan Cup Middleweight Tournament Champion
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6-0
| Yumiko Sugimoto
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Japan Cup 2002 Episode 2
| {{dts|2002|November|9}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:13
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5-0
| Eri Takahashi
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Japan Cup 2002 Opening Round
| {{dts|2002|October|5}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:01
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4-0
| Noriko Tsunoda
| Submission (armbar)
| Smackgirl - Dynamic
| {{dts|2002|September|1}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:12
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3-0
| Izumi Noguchi
| Decision (split)
| AX - Vol. 3
| {{dts|2002|May|4}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2-0
| Hiromi Oka
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Smackgirl - Royal Smack 2002
| {{dts|2002|April|7}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:43
| Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1-0
| Submission (armbar)
| AX - Vol. 2: We Want To Shine
| {{dts|2001|December|26}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 3:37
| Tokyo, Japan
|
{{end}}
Championships and accomplishments
- Bronze in Women's Freestyle Wrestling at 51 kg in the 1997 Asian Championship.[https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbfoeldeak/daten.php?spid=655B7C0D2A0F4DDFBB054BE32E926BD5 Profile at FILA Wrestling Database]
- 2002 JAPAN CUP middleweight tournament champion
- Inaugural Smackgirl Lightweight Champion (2005){{cite web|url=http://www.smackgirl.com/result_tsuji.htm |title=Yuki Tsuji's profile on Smackgirl.com |date=2006-10-24 |access-date=2007-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031030437/http://www.smackgirl.com/result_tsuji.htm |archive-date=2007-10-31}}
- Inaugural Valkyrie Featherweight Champion (2009)
- Fight Matrix
- 2002 #1 Female Fighter of the Year
- 2004 #1 Female Fighter of the Year
- 2005 #1 Female Fighter of the Year
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100902170717/http://www.fightergirls.com/fighter.asp?ID=325 Profile at Fightergirls.com]
- [http://blog.livedoor.jp/anfg/ Official blog] {{in lang|ja}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsuji, Yuka}}
Category:Japanese female mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing freestyle wrestling
Category:Japanese female sport wrestlers
Category:Shigakkan University alumni
Category:Asian Wrestling Championships medalists
Category:Martial artists from Osaka