Naho Sugiyama

Naho Sugiyama (杉山 直歩), also known by her nickname Sugirock (スギロック) or Sugi Rock, is a Japanese female mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. She has competed professionally since 2009. In 2011, she became the first Jewels featherweight champion. Besides Jewels, Sugiyama has also competed in MMA promotions Valkyrie and Invicta Fighting Championships.

As of November 1, 2013, Sugiyama is ranked as the number four female atomweight (96-106 lb) fighter in the world according to the Unified Women's Mixed Martial Arts Rankings.

Background
Sugiyama was born on February 3, 1978 in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. A member of Wajutsu Keishukai Akza (和術慧舟會AKZA), Sugiyama became interested in MMA after watching Caol Uno on TV at the K-1 World Max 2005 Japan Tournament on February 23, 2005, so she started training MMA as a hobby.

Mixed martial arts career
After participating in four amateur bouts for the Smackgirl promotion, Sugiyama made her professional debut on October 24, 2009 in a bout where she defeated Madoka Ebihara by unanimous decision at Valkyrie 3. Sugiyama's second fight was on June 19, 2010 at Valkyrie 6, in which she defeated Megumi Morioka by TKO. In her last fight with Valkyrie, in an upset, Sugiyama defeated the then-flyweight champion Yasuko Tamada via unanimous decision in a non-title bout at Valkyrie 8.

Debuting in Jewels on May 14, 2011, Sugiyama submitted Misaki Takimoto with a rear naked choke in the first round at the combined event Jewels 13th Ring & 14th Ring, where Sugiyama represented Valkyrie as part of a Jewels vs Valkyrie theme.

In her fifth professional fight, Sugiyama faced and defeated Ayumi Saito by unanimous decision at Jewels 16th Ring on September 11, 2011 in a close bout that was part of the first round of the Jewels Featherweight Queen Grand Prix.

On December 17, 2011, at Jewels 17th Ring, Sugiyama was crowned as the first Jewels Featherweight Queen after winning the Jewels Featherweight Queen GP by defeating Kikuyo Ishikawa via split decision and Misaki Takimoto via technical submission (armbar).

Sugiyama faced Yasuko Tamada in a non-title rematch at Jewels 19th Ring on May 26, 2012. Despite being penalized for not making weight, Sugiyama was able to defeat Tamada once again by majority decision, keeping her unbeaten record intact.

Making her debut overseas, Sugiyama faced American fighter Jessica Penne at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama on October 6, 2012 in a title bout to crown the first Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. Penne defeated Sugiyama by submission (triangle choke) in the second round.

On March 30, 2013, Sugiyama faced Celine Haga in a non-title bout at Jewels 23rd Ring. She was defeated by unanimous decision.

Sugiyama defended her Jewels title against Seo Hee Ham at Jewels 24th Ring on May 25, 2013. She was defeated by unanimous decision.

On November 4, 2013, Sugiyama faced Masako Yoshida at Deep Jewels 2. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Jewels
 * Featherweight Queen Grand Prix winner (2011)
 * Atomweight Championship (Two times; current)