A few months ago, I made my way through the rainy morning streets of Tokyo, umbrella in hand, camera around my neck. As I passed a park where the last cherry blossoms clung to the trees, I reached a quiet café known for its chocolates — though I wasn’t there for sweets. I was there to meet Karen, one of Japan’s top Strawweights, to talk about her training, the state of women’s MMA, and her upcoming title fight. Arriving early, I waited outside until two familiar figures approached: Karen, with bleached blonde hair, and her sister Nøri, a rising pro-wrestler and former MMA fighter. Once inside, over drinks and light snacks, we sat down and conducted the interview below.
Training at Black Belt Japan
CJ: Last time we spoke, you had just started training at Black Belt Japan. Now it’s been awhile, can you talk about there?
Karen: Yes, that’s right. I’ve been at Black Belt Japan in Kashiwa for about 2 ½ years now. Since joining, I’ve learned a lot more about ground fighting. Recently I also started going to BJJ classes. Even though it’s in a gi, I’m able to learn a lot from my teammates, so I try to soak up as much as I can.
Black Belt Japan has a big team and it keeps growing. This allows me to spar with a lot of different people, which is great, and it allows me to practice techniques against a variety of people with different skill sets, who utilize different patterns. which helps me learn to adapt and refine techniques.
Having a number of teammates with different skills also helps expose me to new techniques and absorb what I learn from them into my own skillset, which I can then practice. Doing this has actually led me to using those new techniques in fights, which is huge.
CJ: It is well known that Kanna Asakura was a key member of the women’s team at Black Belt Japan, how has her retirement impacted the team?
Karen: Yes, she was the most senior girl on our team, so with her retiring, I feel like Honoka and I really had to step up and keep the momentum going for the women’s team. Also, even though she’s retired, we still practice the techniques she taught us and her presence still feels very real.
CJ:Speaking of your training, I was curious if you are able to focus on training full-time or if you have to work? I know a lot of young fighters have side-jobs to help pay the bills.
Karen: Kind of. For a fighter to focus on training full-time, without working, is really difficult. I’m in a position where my family is able to help support me, so I am able to dedicate a lot of time to training, which is my top priority. However, I do occasionally do some part-time work when I have time.
The State of Women’s MMA
CJ: What do you think about the current state of women’s MMA in Japan?
Karen: When I first got started in martial arts, I saw veterans like Emi Fujino competing a lot, but more and more recently, I’m seeing people from my generation joining and taking over.
I feel like the younger generation is rising up and as a result, women’s MMA is becoming re-vitalized. There used to be this image that the younger fighters couldn’t beat the older veterans, but that’s been changing. I mean age is a factor, but I alsoI see it at the gym. Younger fighters are learning new techniques, adapting what was stereotypical Japanese MMA and adopting new techniques from abroad, so maybe that’s why the younger fighters are getting better
However, I do feel like before, more people wanted to see women’s matches and it does seem like the number of women’s matches has decreased. Almost like interest in women’s MMA is waning. Previously, the fighters were glamorous, they were fighters that people wanted to cheer for. I want to become a fighter like that, a fighter who brings excitement to my fights.
CJ: How would you go about re-invigorating it?
Karen: I want my fights to entertain the fans. I don’t want to just hold people down and stall, I want to fight in such a way that people watching can’t think it’s boring.
Thoughts on One Championship
CJ: In the past when we’ve spoken, you’ve mentioned that you would like to fight for the UFC one day, is that still a goal of yours?
Karen: Yeah, that was my goal, but now I’m also considering One Championship. First, I want to reclaim the Pancrase belt, then I want to conquer Asia. One is primarily in Asia, so I could do that by becoming a top fighter there. If I fought for One, I’d like to reach a level where fighters from the UFC want to come to Asia to fight me.
CJ: As many are aware, One Championship has unique weight divisions, what are your thoughts on that?
Karen: If I were to join One, I’d compete in their Atomweight division. There are a couple Japanese fighters in that division already. Right now, I’m focused entirely on One.
CJ: What about the Road to UFC?
Karen: I was considering entering this year’s Road to UFC, but I wanted the Pancrase belt first. It’s a place where a lot of different fighters compete, so I’m not uninterested in it.
Fighting Salt again, for the Pancrase Belt
CJ: Can you tell us about how this title shot came together?
Karen: From the start, I was the one asking for a title match, but it was difficult to arrange. Salt hadn’t defended her title in over a year and I had maintained my spot as the number 1 contender, so it was put together and my chance has finally come.
CJ: What does this title match mean to you?
Karen: Till now, I’ve fought her twice and lost twice. Well, the third time’s the charm and in this upcoming fight, I will absolutely reclaim my belt and become the champion again.
When we fought the second time, I had only been at Black Belt Japan for a few months. In that fight, I wasn’t able to show anything that I learned there. Now, time has passed, and I’ve absorbed a lot more technique and knowledge, which is now ingrained into me. I’ve trained relentlessly to defeat her and I want all who watch to see how much I’ve grown.
The fight could be a bloodbath, but whether it’s striking or grappling, I’m going to be the one overwhelmingly in control and I’m going to win by knockout or submission. I will become the champion.
Karen is set to face Salt for the Pancrase Strawweight title on September 23rd at Pancrase 356. Those in Japan can watch the event on U-Next, while those outside of Japan can watch the event with English commentary via the link below for 2,000 Yen.
Japanese 
English