Hitomi Akano (赤野 仁美, Akano Hitomi, born July 27, 1974) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist.[2] She announced her formal retirement from MMA on August 1, 2013.[3][4]
Akano used a song she penned herself called "Between the Sky" as her entrance music.[5] She is a former Smackgirl Middleweight Champion at 128 pounds.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
Akano made her mixed martial arts debut on November 26, 2004 against veteran Megumi Yabushita. Akano went into the fight with a broken foot, unwilling to pull out of the fight beforehand. She was defeated by Unanimous Decision.
On August 17, 2005, Akano submitted Takayo Hashi at 1:19 of the first round at Smackgirl – Dynamic !!
Akano faced Tara LaRosa at MFC – USA vs. Russia 3 on June 3, 2006. She lost the fight by Unanimous Decision.[7]
She faced Molly Helsel at Smackgirl – Women Hold Their Ground on September 15, 2006. She won the fight by armbar submission in the second round and became the second Smackgirl Middleweight (128-Pound) Champion.[8]
On April 14, 2007, Akano faced Amanda Buckner at BodogFight – Clash of the Nations. She was defeated by Unanimous Decision.[9]
Akano battled Takayo Hashi for the second time at Smackgirl – Queen's Hottest Summer on September 6, 2007. She was defeated by Unanimous Decision and lost the Smackgirl Middleweight Championship.[6]
Akano fought Vanessa Porto at FFF 3 – War of the Roses on November 3, 2007. She lost the fight by Split Decision.[10]
Akano rematched Megumi Yabushita in the opening round of the 2008 Smackgirl World ReMix Grand Prix. She defeated Yabushita with a heel hook in the second round.[11]
Akano advanced to the finals of the ReMix tournament by submitting Hiroko Yamanaka on April 25, 2008,[12] but Smackgirl closed its doors soon after and was later renamed Jewels.[13]
On November 16, 2008, Akano submitted Mika Harigai with an armbar in just 38 seconds at Jewels 1st Ring.[14]
Akano faced Cris Cyborg at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz on April 11, 2009. Cyborg came in six pounds overweight for the fight. Akano originally rejected the fight due to Cyborg failing to make weight but later accepted the fight.[15] She lost the fight by TKO due to strikes in the third round.[16]
Following the Strikeforce bout, Akano returned to Japan and faced Miki Morifuji at Jewels 4th Ring. She defeated Morifuji by armbar in the second round.[17]
Akano was part of the one-night Strikeforce 135-pound women's tournament on August 13, 2010 at Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor.[19] A random drawing was held on the day of the weigh-ins to determine first-round matchups[20] and Akano faced Carina Damm in the opening round of the tournament.[21]
Akano submitted Damm with a triangle armbar in the second round to advance to the tournament final. She faced Miesha Tate and was defeated by Unanimous Decision.[22]
Akano was scheduled to face Roxanne Modafferi at World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight on December 30, 2010,[23] but the fight was cancelled after Modafferi suffered a stomach illness and was unable to compete.[24][25]
Akano faced Chisa Yonezawa at Pancrase Impressive Tour 2 on March 13, 2011 in Osaka, Japan.[26] She defeated Yonezawa by armbar submission in just 40 seconds.[27]
Akano faced Alexis Davis at Invicta Fighting Championships 2 on July 28, 2012.[32] She was defeated by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round.[33]
It was announced on August 2, that Akano has retired from the sport of MMA.[34]
