Yuka Tsuji: MMA’s Vale Tudo Queen

Yuka Tsuji, nicknamed the “Vale Tudo Queen,” was one of the leading Japanese women’s mixed martial artists of the 2000s. She won titles in Smackgirl and Valkyrie and finished her recorded professional career with 24 wins and three losses.

A decorated career in Japan

Tsuji built her career primarily in Japan, competing for Smackgirl before moving to Valkyrie and later appearing in Jewels and DEEP. Her record includes 16 submission wins, making grappling a defining part of her success. In 2002, she won the Smackgirl Japan Cup tournament; in 2005, she became the promotion’s inaugural lightweight champion.

Smackgirl and Valkyrie titles

After the Smackgirl era, Tsuji competed in the new Valkyrie promotion. She won its inaugural featherweight title by defeating Kate Martinez in April 2009. In February 2010, Mei Yamaguchi submitted her by rear-naked choke, ending Tsuji’s Valkyrie title reign and handing her a rare defeat. Tsuji returned to competition in 2011 and beat Saori Ishioka by unanimous decision.

Final recorded bouts and legacy

Tsuji’s last recorded professional fight was a first-round armbar win over Hyo Kyung Song at DEEP Osaka Impact 2012 on September 29, 2012. She had lost a Jewels title bout to Ayaka Hamasaki earlier that year, so Yamaguchi was not her only defeat. Sherdog lists Tsuji’s final professional record as 24-3; no later bout appears in that fight history.

Tsuji’s championship run and long record of success helped establish Japanese women’s MMA during a period when the sport had limited visibility. Explore other fighter profiles and our coverage of women’s MMA and Japanese promotions.

Selected Recorded Results

• Sep 29, 2012: Yuka Tsuji won against Hyo Kyung Song at Deep – Osaka Impact 2012; Technical Submission (Armbar), round 1, 1:27.
• May 26, 2012: Yuka Tsuji lost to Ayaka Hamasaki at Jewels – 19th Ring; Submission (Kimura), round 1, 3:41.
• Jul 9, 2011: Yuka Tsuji won against Saori Ishioka at Jewels – 15th Ring; Decision (Unanimous), round 2, 5:00.

Sources

Sherdog: record and fight history; Sherdog: Smackgirl title defense report.

Article Tags

Yuka Tsuji, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History