Yukari Nabe made a big impression when she returned to action back at Deep Jewels 32 and she looks to make another on at Deep Jewels 33, coming up on May 5th. With a record of 9-3-1, the 33 year old is currently on a 6 fight streak and is in a position to perhaps fight for a title or fight abroad if she picks up another win. We had the opportunity to ask her some questions ahead of her upcoming fight. Please enjoy. (Cover photo courtesy of Akihito Tatematsu)
You can follow Yukari on Twitter and Instagram.
CJ: Can you tell us about your background in martial arts? When did you start training in MMA?
Yukari: My background is in judo (junior high through college). I joined a martial arts gym because I wanted to do jiu-jitsu. The head of the gym asked me if I wanted to try striking, as a training partner for a girl who wanted to turn professional. So I got into it because I was asked by the head of the gym (in 2016).
CJ: When and why did you decide to turn professional?
Yukari: Since I started training MMA, I wanted to try competing, so I entered an amateur Shooto tournament in 2017, won, and was promoted to a professional. The atmosphere at the event was different from judo matches, and I felt like I wanted to compete in a bigger venue, so I decided to try my hand at the professional stage.
CJ: Before your recent match (March 7, 2021 vs. Mikko Nirvana), you took a year off. What did you think of the match?
Yukari: Generally speaking, I was nervous! I was happy that many of my friends came to support me since it was my return match, but at the same time, I felt a lot of pressure. I should have been more aggressive in the match, there is a lot for me to reflect on.
CJ: .Please tell us about your training. You are currently training at Me, We. When did you join? Did your matches with Sugiyama and Murata influence your decision to join the gym?
Yukari: I started training at Me, We 2 years ago. When I went on a trip to America, I trained with Kanako Murata at CSA. She asked me if I’d like to train with her at Me, We when we return to Japan, so that’s how I got invited there. While I was training there, I was attracted to Mr. Yamazaki’s teaching style and personality, so I decided to transfer there and learn MMA under him.
お誕生日おめでとうございます！！！ pic.twitter.com/AKRDOrBGcQ
— 村田夏南子 KanakoMurata (@m_r_t_k_n_k) November 19, 2020
CJ: Has your practice changed at all as a result of COVID-19?
Yukari: I had surgery on my new before the pandemic so I was focused on rehabilitation, so my training didn’t really change in particular, but I was banned from MMA training to prevent infection by my job, so I quit so I could keep training martial arts….
CJ: Can you tell us about the opponent for your next fight?
Yukari: I will be fighting Arami for Deep Jewels on May 5th. I’ve seen a couple of her fight videos, anyhow I get the impression that she’ll come at me swinging pretty recklessly. I’ll have to calmly deal with that and fight at my own pace.
CJ: What are your goals as a martial artist?
Yukari: I’ve trained with Angela Lee from One FC before, so I’ve always wanted to fight on the same stage as her. Not just One, I want to experience fighting a bunch of fights abroad, against a bunch of different fighters, in a bunch of different places. If I get the chance, I would like to challenge myself in any country against any opponent I can.
CJ: Now for a non-martial arts related question. I can’t help but notice that you seem into dinosaurs, can you talk about that?
Yukari: When I was a kid I saw the movie Jurassic Park, the dinosaurs in it were so cool, I watched it again and again and again, I became captivated by dinosaurs. They were so big and strong! They were an overwhelming presence! At that moment they were ideal. I’ve always liked them since I was a kid and that hasn’t changed. There are a lot of dinosaur figures and dolls at my home ^^
CJ: Outside of dinosaurs are there any hobbies or things that you like to do outside of fighting?
Yukari: As far as hobbies go, I like going to cafes and interior decorating shops, then when I get home I like to do some interior decorating and I try to replicate what I ate at the cafe. When I’m home, I listen to music, I listen to a lot of reggae and R&B. My favorite foods are bread, rice, and meat, I prefer simple seasoning ^^ Recently, I’ve been addicted to sweet potatoes. I started eating them to lose weight and now I check for various roasted sweet potato shops on Instagram ^^ My favorite manga is Bonobono.
CJ: I’ve heard that you speak Korean and have an interest in Korean culture. Can you talk about that?
Yukari: When I was a college student in Japan, I did a year abroad at Yongin University in South Korea. Afterwards, I wanted to stay in Korea so I transferred to Yongin University. I didn’t take any Korean language classes, but my friends in the Judo department sent me messages everyday and on our days off we would all go out together. I carried a dictionary around with me and would use it to look words up, eventually I could speak naturally during a conversation. I like the people in Korea. I think they are closer to other people than in Japan, there is a lack of distance. They will get really angry and worried for other people and they are honest about their feelings.
CJ: Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Any comments or messages for the people out there?
Yukari: At the time of this interview, I think that most people don’t know who I am, but I would like to fight in front of you someday^^ It would make me happy if you would like to see my fight! Please follow me on Instagram^^
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