Valkyrie (mixed martial arts)

Valkyrie

Company type	Private
Industry	Mixed martial arts promotion
Predecessor	Smackgirl
Founded	September 2008 (2008-09)
Founder	Toyoki Kubo
Defunct	2011 (2011)
Fate	Dissolved
Headquarters	Tokyo , Japan
Area served	Tokyo, Japan
Key people	Toyoki Kubo (GCM president) Yasuko Mogi (producer, matchmaker)
Parent	GCM Communication Co. Ltd.
Website	Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived 20 November 2011)

Valkyrie (ヴァルキリー, Varukirī), sometimes styled VALKYRIE in capitals, was a women's mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. It was the sister of Japanese MMA promotion Cage Force, both operated by Greatest Common Multiple (GCM) Communication. Contrary to other Japanese women MMA promotions at the time, it featured a cage instead of a ring and used the same venues as Cage Force.

History

Around 2004 (2004), GCM Communication, the parent company of Japanese promotion Cage Force, had already hosted some all-women MMA events named Cross Section^[1] and with the imminent dissolution of female MMA promotion Smackgirl, GCM Communication announced at the event Cage Force 08 on 27 September 2008 (2008-09-27) that the company would hold a new all-female promotion which would be named Valkyrie and would have its first event on 8 November 2008 (2008-11-08) in a double-header event with Cage Force.^[2][3] Takeshi Nagao, a former Smackgirl executive, and Yasuko Mogi were appointed as producers.^[1] Mogi announced several details of the promotion, such as the weight classes and the rules, which would be essentially the same as those used in Cage Force, and also that former Smackgirl Lightweight Champion Yuka Tsuji would participate in the promotion in a match against Mei Yamaguchi.^[3][4] Other matches would be announced at later dates. As part of its business strategy, Valkyrie events were held before Cage Force, in this way sharing venue, cage and other resources.^[5]

Valkyrie first event was held as planned on 8 November 2008 (2008-11-08), with a card featuring a victorious Tsuji, Yasuko Tamada, Tomomi Sunaba and Roxanne Modafferi against their rivals.^[6]

In its second event, Valkyrie 02, on 25 April 2009 (2009-04-25), Valkyrie crowned its first featherweight champion with Yuka Tsuji defeating American fighter Kate Martinez^[7][8]

The next Valkyrie event, title Cage Force & Valkyrie, was co-promoted with Cage Force and featured three female bouts. It took place on 12 July 2009 (2009-07-12).^[9][10] Mei Yamaguchi won the tournament to become the next challenger for the featherweight title.

Valkyrie 03 was held on 24 October 2009 (2009-10-24).^[11] Due to an injury, Yuka Tsuji would be unable to defend her title against Mei Yamaguchi, so it was decided to postpone that match for another event.^[12] Due to this, Yasuko Mogi stepped up to fight again against Misaki Takimoto in the main bout.^[13] Future Jewels featherweight champion Naho Sugiyama debuted professionally in this event.^[14]

On 11 February 2010 (2010-02-11) Valkyrie 04 was held. The event featured as the main bout Yuka Tsuji against Mei Yamaguchi for the featherweight title as well as the first round of the flyweight tournament to crown the first champion of the promotion.^[15] In a big upset in the history of women's MMA, Yamaguchi defeated Tsuji in the first round of their match, becoming the featherweight champion, and giving Tsuji her second professional defeat and the first since 2003.^[15][16][17]

For the next event, Valkyrie 05 held on 11 April 2010 (2010-04-11), Yasuko Tamada was originally slated to face Naoko Omuro for Valkyrie's flyweight championship, but Omuro suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw, being replaced by Yukiko Seki, who took the fight on short notice.^[18] and the championship bout was postponed until June 2010 (2010-06). A few days before the event, Ayame Miura got injured and was replaced by Megumi Yabushita.^[19] Yabushita and Kyoko Takabayashi, who defeated standout Emi Fujino, were the more notable winners of the event.^[20]

On 19 June 2010 (2010-06-19), Valkyrie 06 was held. During the event, future star Rin Nakai beat seasoned veteran Megumi Yabushita and in the flyweight tournament final Yasuko Tamada defeated Naoko Omuro to become Valkyrie's first champion in that weight.^[21][22]

Valkyrie 07, held on 26 September 2010 (2010-09-26), was an event with only three professional MMA bouts, two of which were part of the tournament to crown the first openweight champion of the promotion.^[23][24] Rin Nakai and Mizuho Sato advanced to the final of the tournament.

For the next event of the promotion, Valkyrie 08, Rin Nakai and Mizuho Sato were set to fight for Valkyrie openweight title and Mei Yamaguchi would fight against Kyoko Takabayashi to defend Valkyrie featherweight title.^[25] On 28 November 2010 (2010-11-28) the event took place, with Nakai becoming the openweight champion and Yamaguchi barely defending the featherweight title with a majority draw in a very controversial decision.^[26][27] Also notably, Naho Sugiyama defeated flyweight champion Yasuko Tamada in a non-title bout.

After several months with no news from the promotion, on 13 April 2011 (2011-04-13), in a notable development for female MMA promotions in Japan, Yasuko Mogi, matchmaker of Valkyrie, in an effort to keep Valkyrie alive, given that GCM Communication was apparently out of business with no other event planned, was present during the press conference of Jewels and announced along with Shigeru Saeki, Jewels matchmaker, that some of the MMA bouts of the  () Jewels event would have the theme Jewels vs Valkyrie, where fighters representing their respective promotions would face each other, starting with Misaki Takimoto vs. Naho Sugiyama and Miyoko Kusaka vs. Sachiko Yamamoto.^[28][29][30]

After the Jewels vs. Valkyrie theme in Jewels 13th Ring & 14th Ring, followed also in Jewels 15th Ring, and due to the lack of Valkyrie events, fighters from the Valkyrie promotion started joining rival Japanese promotion Jewels.^[31] Some of them had already participated in other MMA promotions already.

On 11 November 2011 (2011-11-11), members of Wajyutsu Keisyukai announced the formation of a new players association to separate themselves from GCM Communication and its president Toyoki Kubo^[32][33] due to the lack of activity of GCM Communication which had not held any new MMA event since 28 November 2010 (2010-11-28) and had not paid storage fees and other payments. A few weeks later, at Jewels 17th Ring on 17 December 2013 (2013-12-17) Yasuko Mogi became the matchmaker of Jewels and this effectively meant the end for the Valkyrie promotion.

Rules

Generally speaking, the rules were based on Cage Force rules, which in turn were similar to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, minus elbow strikes to the head and no ground-and-pound in amateur bouts.^[3][34][35] With respect to the length of matches, regular bouts were three three-minute rounds and title bouts were three five-minute rounds.^[34]

Weight classes

These were the official weight classes used by the promotion.

Weight class name	Upper limit
Flyweight	48 kg (105.8 lb; 7.6 st)
Bantamweight	52 kg (114.6 lb; 8.2 st)
Featherweight	58 kg (127.9 lb; 9.1 st)
Lightweight	64 kg (141.1 lb; 10.1 st)
Welterweight	70 kg (154.3 lb; 11.0 st)
Openweight	No weight restrictions

Valkyrie events

Event name	Date	Venue	Location
Valkyrie 08	28 November 2010	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Valkyrie 07	26 September 2010	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Valkyrie 06	19 June 2010	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Valkyrie 05	11 April 2010	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Valkyrie 04	11 February 2010	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Valkyrie 03	24 October 2009	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Cage Force & Valkyrie	12 July 2009	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Valkyrie 02	25 April 2009	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Valkyrie 01 Cage Force-EX	8 November 2008	Differ Ariake Arena	Ariake, Tokyo, Japan

Champions

Class	Champion	Period	Defenses
Openweight	Rin Nakai	28 November 2010 (2010-11-28)—2011 (2011)	0
Featherweight	Mei Yamaguchi	11 February 2010 (2010-02-11)—2011 (2011)	1
Featherweight	Yuka Tsuji	25 April 2009 (2009-04-25)—11 February 2010 (2010-02-11)	0
Flyweight	Yasuko Tamada	19 June 2010 (2010-06-19)—2011 (2011)	0

See also

Cage Force

References

1. Breen, Jordan (8 October 2008). "Valkyrie Takes Flight Nov. 8". USA: Sherdog. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
2. "【GCM】11・8金網の女子総合格闘技イベント旗揚げ！辻結花の参戦決定". News (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 28 September 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
3. Ihara, Yoshinori (28 September 2008). 女子版ケージフォースが11.8ディファで旗揚げ. News (in Japanese). Japan: Bout Review. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
4. Hirata, Shu (28 September 2008). "VALKYRIE – 11/08/2008: 'Women's Version of Cage Force Begins!'". News. United States: ADCC News. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
5. Hirata, Shu (11 March 2009). "VALKYRIE – 04/25/2009: Smart Strategy? – About Japanese Women's MMA". News. United States: ADCC News. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
6. Loiseleur, Tony (8 November 2008). "Tsuji Decisions Hajime at Valkyrie Premiere; Modafferi Victorious". Articles. USA: Sherdog. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
7. Nelson, Chris (25 April 2009). "Tsuji Subs Martinez, Miyazawa Rolls at Valkyrie/Cage Force Double-Header". United States: Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
8. Loiseleur, Tony (25 April 2009). "Cage Force Headliner Scrapped; Tsuji Takes Valkyrie Crown". Articles. United States: Sherdog. p. 2. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
9. Endow, Wesley (12 July 2009). "Hamanaka Wins by DQ in Cage Force". News. United States: Sherdog. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
10. Kuno, Yoshi (15 July 2009). "V一、接戦制す。辻結花への再挑戦権獲得". Reports (in Japanese). Japan: Bout Review. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
11. Kuno, Yoshi (29 October 2009). "瀧本、茂木にTKO勝ち。大室は判定勝ち". Reports (in Japanese). Japan: Bout Review. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
12. "【ヴァルキリー】10・24辻結花が怪我で欠場、V一とのタイトル戦は延期". News (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
13. "【ヴァルキリー】10・24瀧本美咲VS茂木康子が決定！「練習仲間だけどむしろ殴りたい」（茂木）". News (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 30 September 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
14. Sargent, Robert (25 October 2009). "Greatest Common Multiple: "Valkyrie 3" Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
15. Sargent, Robert (11 February 2010). "Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 4" Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
16. Breen, Jordan (11 February 2010). "Yamaguchi Stuns Tsuji at Valkyrie 4". Articles. United States: Sherdog. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
17. Hirata, Shu (17 February 2010). "VALKYRIE 04 – 02/11/2010: V Hajime Shocked Yuka Tsuji Capturing the Valkyrie Title!". ADCC News. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
18. Sargent, Robert (11 April 2010). "Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 5" Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
19. Hirata, Shu (7 April 2010). "VALKYRIE – 04/11/2010: Megumi Yabushita Back in the Ring This Weekend!". United States: ADCC News. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
20. Hirata, Shu (12 April 2010). "VALKYRIE – 04/11/2010: Takabayashi Edges Out Fujino, Yabushita Submits Kasai and More – Full Results". United States: ADCC News. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
21. Herbertson, Daniel (19 June 2010). "Yasuko Tamada Captures Flyweight Title, Rin Nakai moves to 7–0 at Valkyrie". USA: MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
22. Sargent, Robert (19 June 2010). "Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 6" Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
23. 【ヴァルキリー】中井りんが鮮やかな一本勝ち！トーナメント決勝は佐藤瑞穂と. Results (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
24. Sargent, Robert (27 September 2010). "Rin Nakai Moves To 8–0 At GCM: Valkyrie 7". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
25. Sargent, Robert (27 September 2010). "Two Title Fights Set For Valkyrie 8 In November". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
26. Loiseleur, Tony (28 November 2010). "'V-Hajime' Retains, Nakai Nabs Valkyrie Open Weight Title". News. United States: Sherdog. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
27. Sargent, Robert (28 November 2010). "Greatest Common Multiple "Valkyrie 8" Results". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
28. Pozen, Frank (13 April 2011). "Ham Seo Hee released from JEWELS, Ishioka vs Celine for tournament slot". Canada. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
29. Sargent, Robert (13 April 2011). "Four Fights Announced For May 14 Jewels Doubleheader". News. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
30. 【ジュエルス】5・14ヴァルキリーとの戦争勃発！「勝ち続けてジュエルスをのっとる」（茂木）. News (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
31. "Exclusive : V.V Travels to Finland for First Time to Challenge Nordic's Best Kankaanpää". Sweden: MMA Viking. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
32. 新組織「和術慧舟會選手会」始動。創始者の西良典氏も了承 [New Wajyutsu Keisyukai players association starting. Founder, Yoshinori Nishi, consents.] (in Japanese). Japan: Bout Review. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
33. 【ニュース】和術慧舟會が和術慧舟會選手会として再スタート [News – Wajyutsu Keisyukai new start as Wajyutsu Keisyukai Senshukai]. News (in Japanese). Japan: God Bless the Ring. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
34. Hirata, Shu (19 October 2008). "VALKYRIE – 11/08/2008: 'Once Again, Different Set of Rules for Girls'". United States: ADCC News. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
35. "VALKYRIE Rules" (PDF) (Regulation) (in Japanese). Japan: Valkyrie. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2013.

External links

• Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived 20 November 2011) (in Japanese)
• Official blog (old) (in Japanese)