RIZIN vet Shizuka Sugiyama set to return at DEEP JEWELS 25

DEEP JEWELS 25 has been announced for September 1, taking place at the famed Shinjuku FACE arena in Tokyo, Japan. The first batch of announcements includes five MMA bouts and one kickboxing contests.

The main announcement involves RIZIN veteran Shizuka Sugiyama (17-6-1), as the former DEEP JEWELS title-challenger is scheduled to return against Asami Nakai (3-1) of Osaka, Japan.

“Shiyan” Sugiyama is coming off a win in Double G FC against UFC veteran Chan Mi Jeon earlier this year. This was, of course, a successful rebound following an 11-second knockout loss to Kana Watanabe at RIZIN: Yarennoka! on New Years Eve.

Asami “Akaringo” Nakai is riding a three-fight win streak. Ironically enough, Nakai’s last defeat also came against Kana Watanabe. Since that loss in her professional debut, Nakai has looked relatively dominant, though. Picking up three-straight unanimous decision wins in DEEP over a four-month period between December of 2018 and March 2019.

Having not competed since a 2012 loss to Japanese pioneer Rin Nakai, Mayumi Aoki (6-9) will return against Mao Ueda (0-1) at DEEP JEWELS 25. In her sole bout as professional, Ueda was knocked out by Reina Miura – King Reina – in 25-seconds.

Japanese music idol Nanaka Kawamura (2-4) is looking to rebound following two-straight losses on September 1. At RIZIN: Yarennoka!, Kawamura was mauled by top KRAZY BEE prospect Ai Shimizu in the first round. Last month she returned and was upset by MAO at DEEP JEWELS 24. In September she faces Otoha Nagao (1-0) who made her pro debut last month on the same card Kawamura competed on.

DEEP JEWELS 25 will also feature former amateur champion Hikaru Aono (4-2) as she faces Miyuki Furusawa (1-2). As amateurs, both fought Asami Nakai. In her professional career, Aono defeated a then-undefeated prospect in Mika Arai. Furusawa fought and lost to a rising Kanna Asakura back in 2015.

Momoko Yamazaki (1-1) is scheduled to return vs. Mizuki Oshiro (0-1) as a kickboxing bout between Izumi Noguchi and Pan Hui has also been announced.