It felt like just yesterday that I was in Asakusa. But like the rest of Tokyo, it is constantly evolving. I had taken friends to Sensō-ji—its most famous temple—recently, but it had been more than a decade since I wandered its backstreets. Some shops had changed; others remained, just older. Still, the essence of Asakusa endured. Its spirit, like the city itself, persisted through reinvention.
Much like Asakusa and Tokyo itself, the Japanese MMA scene is always evolving. Prospects become champions, who in turn become veterans attempting to hold back the inevitable tide of young talent. It seems like just yesterday that pioneers like Megumi Fujii were dominating; now, fighters like Chihiro Sawada, who was mentored by Fujii, have risen to the top of the ranks, representing Japan on the international stage, much like Fujii did herself. There, they face off against veterans and prospects alike, appearing different from their predecessors in technique and style, but carrying that same unmistakable spirit and passion for the sport.
As I made my way down the backstreets, I spotted Chihiro Sawada waiting outside the café she had recommended. She wore a brown sweater and a long skirt, accessorized with a septum piercing and some jewelry on her teeth. Only her cauliflower ears hinted at her years of training and chosen profession.
After exchanging pleasantries, we stepped inside, ordered lattes, and sat down to talk, about her new gym, her life as a fighter, and the state of women’s mixed martial arts in Japan. Later on, after it was announced, we also discussed her upcoming bout against Ayaka Miura at ONE Samurai 1 in Tokyo, the winner of which seems likely to challenge for the title next.
What follows is drawn from those conversations.
The Reality of Being a Fighter
CJ: For those that are unfamiliar with the life of a professional athlete, can you tell us what your daily life is like?
Chihiro: Some people think that my current life revolves entirely around training and fighting, that it’s my sole job and lifestyle, but the reality is I can’t survive on that alone. Fight purses and sponsorship money aren’t enough to cover everything, so I have to take on other work. I coach at the gym and hold my own classes to make ends meet.
In Japan, it’s difficult to live off mixed martial arts alone. While there are many athletes in other sports who can live off of being an athlete, combat sports are different. Regardless of how strong or skilled you are, many fighters can’t survive without another job. That’s the tough part. I’m still in that situation, but I don’t hate it, and I wouldn’t call it a “struggle.” I actually want to coach because it helps me level up. The hard part with teaching is getting my message across. I’ve never worked as a school or kindergarten teacher, so conveying my thoughts to people in a way that’s easy to understand is a challenge.
Even with interviews like this, I’m sensitive about whether my nuances are being written correctly. It’s the same with teaching; I’m constantly wondering if what I’ve said has actually reached the students and if they’ve truly understood it.
CJ: Is it difficult to teach people who have no experience in combat sports?
Chihiro: It’s challenging to convey things to everyone from children to adults, currently, my students range from 4 to 92 years old, while ensuring no one gets injured. Beyond combat sports, I do health-focused stretching sessions for seniors around the Asakusa gym. Teaching a 92-year-old is difficult; I have to watch their tone of voice and health status that day very closely.
Adults tend to overexert themselves or try too hard, so I’m happy when they can enjoy moving their bodies without overdoing it. It’s the same with the kids. When they say, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” it makes me want to improve my teaching so they can level up and get closer to high-level martial arts.
CJ: You were an instructor at the gym you now run, how did that happen?
Chihiro: I originally knew the owner, Akiyama-san, from Imanari Jiu-Jitsu. He had always said he wanted to support my MMA career. When I heard he was opening a gym and offered to help, he told me he was looking for an instructor and asked me to take the position.
The Changing Perception of Fighters in Japan
Beyond her day-to-day activities, I was also interested in learning more about how people perceive fighters in Japan. With shows like Breaking Down making the news, where guys that look like thugs compete for attention and Youtube views and given some of the negative impressions left by unsavory characters behind the scenes, I was curious to see if Japan has a distinct idea of MMA and fighters.
CJ: Is there anything interesting about your lifestyle compared to people with “normal” jobs?
Chihiro: To people outside the bubble, it might seem like training is our only job, but most Japanese fighters are balancing multiple things. I do my own training in the morning and afternoon, then teach kids and adults in the evening. I’ve been working like this for a long time. Back in high school, I worked at Denny’s when I wasn’t training.
CJ: In the past, MMA had a “scary” image abroad, but that’s changed. It’s seen more as a sport now. How is it in Japan?
Chihiro: Japan still has a very strong entertainment aspect. Many people think of Japan specific shows like RIZIN or Breaking Down as the definition of MMA. Compared to overseas, I feel there is less respect for the discipline and skill here; there’s still a lingering image of it being violent or “thug-like.”
However, there are fans who watch the UFC or ONE, and many who follow Japanese promotions like Shooto, Pancrase, and DEEP. Those fans don’t see it as purely violent; they genuinely understand the techniques. I feel that group is growing, maybe it’s a 50-50 split now, though they might still be the minority.
I actually feel like pro-wrestling has a “healthier” environment. Pro-wrestling fans have great manners and truly love the craft. They understand the “heels” as part of the total story. In high level MMA like the UFC or ONE, the fighters and fans understand that face-offs and hype are tools of the trade. In contrast, in some parts of the Japanese scene, some fighters don’t grasp the concept of trash talk and end up actually hitting each other [during pressers]. I understand top stars doing it, but when unknown fighters do it just to get famous… I understand their desire, but it feels like they’re heading in the wrong direction.
CJ: What reaction do you get when you tell people you are a professional MMA fighter?
Chihiro: Since I’m small, people are surprised and ask, “You can do that even though you’re small?” My ears are a giveaway that I do something, but people are often shocked when I tell them I actually trade punches in a cage.
The Japanese Women’s Scene
At 28 years old and as a former Shooto Champion, Chihiro was taught by Megumi Fujii, has trained with Ayaka Hamasaki, Rena, Saori Oshima, Miki Motono, Emi Fujino, Shizuka Sugiyama, Seika Izawa, and Eru Takebayashi. She’s trained with older veterans, her contemporaries, and her juniors. She’s trained with fighters from Deep, Pancrase, Deep Jewels, Rizin, and One. With her finger on the pulse, it only seemed natural to ask her about the current state of the scene.
CJ: What is your impression of women’s MMA in Japan right now?
Chihiro: I feel like more girls are starting because they admire fighters like RENA. With various organizations holding women’s tournaments, the high attendance at DEEP JEWELS, and more fighters going overseas, it’s getting more attention than before. The level has risen compared to ten years ago. Fighters are being evaluated more for their technique rather than just their looks.
Lately, there are a lot more younger fighters than before. However, the great thing about martial arts is that you don’t just win through youth and momentum alone; a veteran with a long career like Fujino can have a great fight against a young prospect. That’s one thing that makes women’s MMA so interesting.
CJ: In Japan, there are still a lot of older veterans. What are your thoughts on that?
Chihiro: Winning with youth and strength is important, but being able to win with small, detailed techniques, like shifting your position, is the more fascinating part to me. Since you have to do so many different things, I think MMA is the most difficult of all sports. I’m not looking down on the others, but I truly believe MMA is the hardest.
Training at JTT
Known for Mikuru and Kai Asakura, JTT may be one of the most well known gyms in Japan. Outside of the famed brothers, fighters like Seika Izawa and Emi Fujino also train there and after leaving AACC, Chihiro has started training there at times. With JTT being such a high profile gym and Izawa being such a high profile women’s champion, the conversation naturally led towards her training there.
CJ: Tell us about your training at Japan Top Team (JTT).
Chihiro: I was training with Fujino around the time I left AACC. Seika Izawa happened to be injured at the time, so I was working as Fujino’s sparring partner. Once Izawa returned from her injury, she joined us and it became a great training environment. Usually, there are three or four of us training together, and Sugiyama joins sometimes too.
CJ: What is it like training with the champion, Seika Izawa?
Chihiro: Izawa knows techniques that I don’t, both in striking and grappling, and we share ideas on areas where we have slight weaknesses, especially striking. It’s great practice, and I’m grateful for it. There are times when my wrestling experience doesn’t work against her, and those moments are a chance for me to reflect and learn.
Fighting for One Championship
For those that do not know, Chihiro’s older brother used to fight for One and that is how her desire to fight for them was born. One is a unique promotion, with its blend of combat sports and rules it stands apart. Having fought in Japan as at 48kg, there was always a question as to how she would do in One, against bigger opponents.
CJ: How do you feel about the ONE Atomweight division (52kg)?
Chihiro: In my last fight, I felt a difference in frame, power, and physical size. But speed and power are things you can build, regardless of the frame, so I don’t think what I’m doing is reckless. While the gap between fighting in Japan and fighting overseas hasn’t disappeared, I took the challenge thinking it wouldn’t be a problem if I built my body up a bit more. That went exactly as I imagined. Of course, the Japanese 47.6kg [Atomweight] fits me, but ONE’s 52kg with no water-cutting is a natural weight for me, so I find it easy to do.
CJ: So, the no-water-cut policy isn’t a struggle?
Chihiro: It’s not hard. I just make slight adjustments from my usual weight, so it isn’t a struggle.
CJ: Have you noticed changes in your physique?
Chihiro: I don’t feel it much myself, but people I train with tell me I’ve gotten bigger, and I see it when I look at photos or videos of my fights. I think I’ve leveled up. I do physical training in between practices. The muscles used differ depending on the cycle, whether I’m doing only striking or only grappling, and my training partners have changed as well.
A Fighter’s Mindset
When I first interviewed Chihiro in 2022, it was a little more than year after she had made her pro-debut in Shooto. At that time, she talked about her mindset and her desire to get more obsessed with MMA. Though it has only been a couple of years, so much has changed with her accomplishments, where she trains, and where she now competes, that I was naturally curious to see how her mindset had changed or stayed the same.
CJ: What is your thought process during training?
Chihiro: I’m always visualizing my fights and what I want to do. If I’m doing weight training, I’m focusing on the specific punch or kick I want to use, or my core. In MMA practice, I’m visualizing how to improve on things I couldn’t do before or weaknesses from previous fights.
The most important part is that I do “never-give-up training.” I train with the mindset of pushing forward with my heart when things are at their absolute toughest. I think, “It’s hard right now, but in a fight, if I don’t attack when it’s this hard, I’ll lose.” Of course, there are times when I give in to the exhaustion, but I do it with the feeling that I won’t lose to myself tomorrow.
CJ: What is your mindset like on fight night?
Chihiro: I believe you can’t even produce half of what you do in practice during a real fight, so I repeat my training until I have absolute confidence. That allows me to go into a fight with a sense of relief and prevents me from panicking. I learned this during my wrestling days; to give myself confidence, I train every single day until I am satisfied.
I tend to get panicked or lose control of my emotions right before or during a fight, so I try to visualize suppressing that. It’s quite difficult. I try to stay as “flat” as possible. During a fight, if I can hear my corner well, I am thinking clearly, and since I trust them, my body moves to their voices. My two cornermen often tell me, “It was like a controller, wasn’t it?” In those moments, I’m not panicking, and good ideas come to me. When my body doesn’t move the way I want, I panic, and if my thoughts become fixed on just one thing, I stop moving even more. There are times when I can’t find a starting point and end up unable to put out even half of the power I actually have.
Facing Ayaka Miura at One Samurai 1
As we finished our drinks and neared the end of our time together, we agreed to revisit the conversation once her next fight was announced. Though an ocean now separates us, we did just that
Riding a 5 fight win streak, Miura is clearly one of the best women in the division and a win over her will not only make Chihiro the best Japanese fighter in the division, it will likely put her directly in line for a title shot. Also, with One further committing to the Japanese market with the Samurai series, a win for either will be significant as One will likely look to use them on future Japanese cards.
CJ: Your opponent for the next fight is Ayaka Miura. Previously, when her opponent dropped out, you called her out. Can you tell us about that and how this fight finally came together?
Chihiro: I never intended to be provocative towards her. However, when I was previously offered the fight, I expressed my intent to accept immediately, yet it never materialized. Even after that, I reached out again when her opponent fell through, but I never received any type of response from Miura. Since this fight offer this time for One Samurai came through as a formal request, I took it as a sign that she finally accepted to face me.
CJ: What do you think of her as an opponent and how do you see the fight unfolding?
Chihiro: With her Judo background, she excels at getting the fight where she wants it. She has genuine finishing power and the ability to secure submissions. That said, I intend to fight this as a true MMA fight. I want to dictate the pace by weaving together my striking, scrambles, and transitions.
CJ: Have you prepared for the scarfhold?
Chihiro: I’ve been preparing for it, of course, but to be honest, she’s so good at that technique that I find myself wondering how she does it. It just shows how much she’s specialized in that particular skill. I am going to account for it and respond accordingly.
CJ: Do you see a win over Ayaka earning you a title shot?
Chihiro: I view this as a fight that leads directly to the title, so I plan to deliver a result that reflects that.
CJ: Lately, you seem to be showing more of your personality through SNS.
Chihiro: My desire for a lot of people to watch my fights has grown stronger, and I want more attention brought to women’s combat sports. Within that, I feel it would be great if I could become an iconic presence myself.
CJ: I read that you enjoy high-level trash talk. Can you give an example of some that you’ve liked?
Chihiro: (Laughs) Nothing in particular comes to mind!
CJ: Can you imagine yourself talking trash?
Chihiro: I don’t think I’m really the type to do it. That said, I’ve always had a bit of a sharp tongue (laughs), so I think I could do it if I really wanted to. But if it’s going to end up being something classless, I think it’s better not to do it at all.
CJ: This is your second ONE event in Japan. How do you feel about fighting at home again, especially on a major numbered card?
Chihiro: Fighting in Japan is something special, after all, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m happy to be competing in a Japanese event for the second time, and I want to show something even better than I did in my previous appearance.
Closing Comments
CJ: Can you tell us about your gym?
Chihiro: It’s a bright, great gym. It’s an open mat where we spar together. I can see why tourists from overseas who want to do grappling go out of their way to come. The atmosphere is very friendly. I’d be happy if more women came, and I’d be thrilled if tourists came to my class, for wrestling or anything. You don’t need experience; it’s fine for people who just want to relieve stress or move their bodies. There are also instructors with a karate base. Please send a message! I want all kinds of people to visit.
CJ: Do you have a final comment for the readers?
Chihiro: I’m appearing in ONE right now, and I’d be happy if people who read this watch or get to know ONE.
Like the streets of Asakusa she walks each day, Chihiro continues to evolve, change, and adapt, but she still carries the spirit of her predecessors. When she steps into the cage this Wednesday against Ayaka Miura, she does so as part of their continuing story.
English 
Japanese