Ayaka Miura started martial arts late. She has never been the most naturally gifted athlete in any gym she has trained in. By her own account, she has never been number one at anything.
April 29 in Tokyo is her chance to change that.
The 35-year-old submission specialist faces Chihiro Sawada in an all-Japan atomweight MMA clash at ONE SAMURAI 1, live from Ariake Arena on Wednesday, April 29. A decisive win could earn Miura the next shot at ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion Denice Zamboanga — the title she has been building toward her entire career.
Miura arrives on a five-fight winning streak, four of them finishes, with a 16-5 record that reflects a fighter who has steadily outworked the limitations she started with. The occasion of fighting at home, in front of a Japanese crowd, on the inaugural card of ONE's new monthly Japan series, carries weight beyond the result.
"I'm really happy fans can see me in person," she said. "And since ONE SAMURAI will be held monthly, I think more people will get to watch and learn about me, so I'm really excited."
The Bushido framing of the event resonates with her personally. Miura has practised judo her entire adult life, and the values attached to it are not abstractions for her. They are why she fights.
"Bushido is the traditional Japanese spirit. Since I've practiced judo for a long time, I've been exposed to a lot of that discipline and respect. Martial arts may seem violent, but it's not just about that," she said. "Through ONE SAMURAI, I hope people see how strong Japanese fighters are and how exciting their fights can be."
Sawada, 28, is the most credible test Miura has faced in her current run. Three straight wins over Macarena Aragon, Itsuki Hirata, and Natalie Salcedo have positioned her firmly among the atomweight elite, and her wrestling-centred game with improving striking makes her dangerous in every phase. Miura has trained alongside her before and has a clear read on what she brings.
"I think Sawada is a very well-rounded fighter. She has a wrestling base and builds her MMA around that strength, and she's very strong physically," she said. "I believe I'm more persistent than her, so even if she comes aggressively at the start, my strength is that I never give up."
The "Ayaka Lock," Miura's signature kesa-gatame scarf-hold, has become one of the most recognised finishes in the division. She is aware of what it has come to mean to fans, and equally clear that it is not the only tool she carries.
"My 'Ayaka Lock' works on anyone. But I don't rely only on that. I have many techniques, and I can finish in many ways. I've also finished with knee bars. I just haven't shown many of my techniques in fights yet, but I have a wide range of ways to finish," she said.
Everything Miura has built points toward this moment. She is not coy about what winning means or what she intends to do with it.
"I'm not naturally athletic, and I've never been number one at anything, so becoming number one has always been my goal. I started martial arts late, but through ONE Championship, I've made it this far," she said. "I want to win the belt and leave something behind."
