Yasuko Tamada

Yasuko Tamada (玉田 育子) is a Japanese female mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. She previously fought as a flyweight in the Valkyrie promotion and was the only Valkyrie Flyweight Champion. She later fought for Jewels and last competed for Deep.

Tamada was once ranked as the #6 female atomweight (96-106 lb) fighter in the world according to the Unified Women's Mixed Martial Arts Rankings.

Grappling career
Tamada started fighting in the grappling tournament Girl Fight Challenge (GFC) on October 14, 2002. She managed to make it to the finals of a Smackgirl grappling tournament on May 16, 2004 where she lost to Yasuko Mogi. Tamada won a Smackgirl tournament on April 29, 2005 by defeating Naomi and was runner-up in 2006 and 2007. Her last grappling bout was at Gi Grappling 2008.

Mixed martial arts career
Tamada made her professional debut in MMA with a split decision victory against Maho Muranami. Her next fights resulted in four losses and two draws. She rebounded with seven consecutive wins. After a draw in Valkyrie's first event, she won her next three fights. At Valkyrie 06, she became Valkyrie Flyweight Champion by defeating Naoko Omuro in her most impressive performance to date.

At Valkyrie 08 on November 28, 2010, in an upset, Tamada was defeated by Naho Sugiyama via unanimous decision in a non-title bout in which Sugiyama dominated Tamada during the three rounds.

Tamada faced Kikuyo Ishikawa in the opening round of the Jewels Featherweight Queen tournament at Jewels 16th Ring on September 11, 2011 in Tokyo. She was defeated by unanimous decision.

Tamada then faced Sachiko Yamamoto at Jewels 17th Ring on December 17, 2011. She was defeated by split decision.

On May 26, 2012, Tamada faced Naho Sugiyama in a non-title rematch at Jewels 19th Ring in Osaka, Japan. She was defeated by majority decision.

Tamada faced Naoko Omuro for a third time at Jewels 20th Ring on July 21, 2012. She defeated Omuro by technical submission due to an armbar in the second round.

Tamada next faced Satomi Takano at Jewels 22nd Ring on December 15, 2012. She defeated Takano by unanimous decision.

Tamada competed against Yukiko Seki for the third time at Deep Jewels 1 on August 31, 2013. She defeated Seki by unanimous decision.

Tamada made her US debut for Invicta Fighting Championships on September 6, 2014. She faced Michelle Waterson for the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship. Tamada lost the fight via TKO in the third round which was the first time she had ever lost via TKO.

Championships

 * Valkyrie Flyweight Champion (2010)