Hiroko Yamanaka

Hiroko Yamanaka is a retired mixed martial artist hailing from Japan. She is a former Smackgirl Open Weight Champion and a Super Gals Mix Cup Open Weight Tournament Winner. Yamanaka announced her retirement on August 6, 2013.

Born on October 24, 1978 in Kisarazu, Chiba, Yamanaka initially only became interested in mixed martial arts to maintain her fitness and health. When she started to learn the various disciplines and techniques of the sport, she was inspired to continue her training and to take her skills to another level.

She debuted in the MMA world with a match against Mariko Fujimoto in 2006 that ended in a draw. She then went on a 4-match winning streak before losing to Hitomi Akano in 2008. Yamanaka then went on to have an 8-match winning streak until 2011. In December 17, 2011, her scheduled fight with Cris Cyborg ended in a No Contest. She then suffered two more loses until her retirement.

Yamanaka also had several matches for submission grappling, for which she has a record of 3 fights with 1 win and 2 losses. For her Shootboxing record, she has 2 fights with 2 wins and no losses.

Nicknamed “Cat’s Eye” and “Incomplete Queen”, Yamanaka fought under Jewels, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC. This Japanese fighter stands at 5’11” and has a 71” reach. Hiroko Yamanaka has a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 3 losses.