Rena Kubota (久保田 玲奈, kubota rena, Japanese pronunciation:[kɯbotaɾena]), better known by her ring nameRENA (stylized in capital letters) or Reina, is a professional Japaneseshoot wrestler, kickboxer and mixed martial artist, currently competing in the strawweight division of Rizin.
A professional competitor since 2007, Kubota previously competed as a kickboxer in the flyweight division of Shootboxing. She is a record six-time Shootboxing Girls S-Cup tournament winner, having won every tournament she took part in, and is the former Shootboxing flyweight champion.
Sherdog ranked her as a top ten atomweight between October 18, 2017 and May 24, 2021,[1][2] while Fight Matrix ranked her as a top ten atomweight between July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018.[3] She was furthermore ranked as a top ten pound for pound kickboxer by Combat Press between November 2016 and June 2017,[4][5] as well as between August 2017 and May 2018.[6][7]
Kickboxing career
Early life
Kubota was born in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on (1991-06-29)June 29, 1991. She began training at Oikawa Dojo when she was a sixth grader.[8]
Early career
Kubota made her kickboxing debut in the all-female promotion J-Girls at New Heroine Coming! on July 1, 2007 (2007-07-01). She lost a split decision to Asami Furuya in the flyweight New Heroine tournament semi-final.[9] Kubota fought once more in J-Girls in the World Queen Tournament and defeated Mika Nagai by decision on November 4, 2007 (2007-11-04).[10]
Kubota's next bout was her first in shoot boxing. She defeated Kanako Oka by decision at Shoot Boxing 2007 Mu-So 5th on December 23, 2007 (2007-12-23).[11] Kubota won her next two fights in the Road to S-Cup series.
On June 1, 2008 (2008-06-01), Kubota fought to a draw with MMA fighter Miku Matsumoto in the Deep promotion in a kickboxing match at ClubDEEP Toyama Barbarian Festival 7.[12][13] Kubota then returned to shoot boxing and won an extra-round decision against Misato Tomita on July 21, 2008 (2008-07-21).[14]
Kubota's next fight, her second professional loss, came in a rematch against Miku Matsumoto at the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2008 on November 24, 2008 (2008-11-24). Matsumoto won the fight by unanimous decision.[15][16] Kubota then made her debut in K-1 at K-1 Award & MAX Korea 2009 on March 20, 2009 (2009-03-20). She was defeated via extra-round split decision against South KoreanMuay Thai kickboxer Su Jeong Lim. The bout was Kubota's only fight for the promotion.[17]
Kubota debuted in the Jewels promotion in a shoot boxing match at Jewels 4th Ring on July 11, 2009 (2009-07-11). She defeated Tomoko SP by decision.[18][19]
2009 Shootboxing Girls S-Cup
Kubota returned to shoot boxing and won her first Girls S-Cup title, at only 18 years old, at the 2009 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup on August 23, 2009 (2009-08-23). She defeated Masako Yoshida by decision, Saori Ishioka by TKO and finally Mei Yamaguchi by decision to win the tournament.[20][21][22]
After winning the Girls S-Cup, Kubota won fights against Emi Fujino by TKO (doctor stoppage),[23][24][25]Australian Christina Jurjevic by decision[26] and Mika Nagai by decision in a rematch from their 2007 fight.[27]
2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup
Kubota was scheduled to face kickboxing and MMA legend Hisae Watanabe on April 11, 2010 (2010-04-11), but Kubota broke her finger and Watanabe faced an alternate opponent.[28][29] The two would finally meet on August 29, 2010 (2010-08-29) during the 2010 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. Kubota stunned everyone including Watanabe with her speed and aggressiveness. The #2-ranked Watanabe had been very confident of winning, but Kubota shocked everyone with her powerful performance and she defeated Watanabe by TKO. Kubota delivered a devastating knee to the body which caused Watanabe to fall to her knees. Watanabe was holding her stomach and was in severe pain and unable to continue the match.
Kubota went on to defeat American MMA fighter Kate Martinez by decision in the semi-final, then defeated Ai Takahashi by decision after two extra rounds in the final to win her second straight Girls S-Cup.[30][31]
After her second victory of the Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup, Kubota appeared at the pre-recorded TV program Beautiful women athletes full performance: TV 2011 Athletic Club of Fire (美女アスリート総出演"炎の体育会TV2011", Bijo Asurīto Sōshutsuen Honō no Taiiku-Kai TV 2011) on TBS on January 11, 2011 (2011-01-11), where she faced and defeated male comedians Yu Shinagawa, Hidetsugu Shibata and Koji Imada in exhibition bouts.[32] While the show averaged 11.8% of TV rating, her appearance had the highest rating, 16.8%,[33][34] and her ring name became the second-highest searched for keyword on Google Japan the next day.[35]
Kubota was scheduled to fight South Korean fighter Sun Young Kim on April 23, 2011 (2011-04-23), at Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 2 in Tokyo, but Kim withdrew from the bout.[36][37] As a result, Kubota faced J-Girls rising talent Erika Kamimura in an exhibition match in which Rena was knocked down once by her younger opponent in a single three-minute round, which surprised fans and pundits alike.[36][37][38]
Kubota faced Ai Takahashi again in a five-round title fight at Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 3 on June 5, 2011 (2011-06-05). She was defeated by unanimous decision.[39][40]
On August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19), Kubota faced ThaiZaza Sor. Aree in a non-tournament bout at the 2011 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup. Rena trapped Zaza in a standing arm-triangle choke and Zaza struggled violently to escape but was unable to. She was fading away and about to pass out when the referee broke the hold and awarded the point to Rena. It's a pity the referee did not let Rena put Zaza to sleep and therefore win by KO. Nevertheless, Rena won the match when she delivered a devastating punch to Sor Aree's stomach in round two which caused her to collapse to the mat. Flat on her back and holding her stomach in agony, Sor Aree was not able to continue and Rena won the match. This would be the second time that Rena's powerful attacks have left an opponent in so much pain that they are not able to get up and not able to continue the match. The first opponent to collapse in pain was Hisae Watanabe.[41][42]
Kubota faced Bellator MMA veteran Jessica Penne in a shoot boxing match at Shoot Boxing 2011 Act 4 on September 10, 2011 (2011-09-10).[43][44] She was defeated by majority decision after two extension rounds in a considerable upset.[45][46]
Kubota faced Erika Kamimura in a rematch at Rise 85 on November 23, 2011 (2011-11-23). She defeated Kamimura by unanimous decision to become the first Rise Queen champion.[47][48] Kubota vacated the Rise Queen title on July 23, 2013 (2013-07-23).[49]
2012 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup
Kubota entered the 2012 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup on August 25, 2012 (2012-08-25). She defeated Kim Townsend, Seo Hee Ham and Mei Yamaguchi in succession to become the 2012 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup tournament champion.[50][51]
Kubota returned to face Taiwanese fighter Du Peiling at Shoot Boxing 2013: Act 2 on April 20, 2013 (2013-04-20).[52][53] She defeated Peiling via third-round KO. Rena locked in a standing arm-triangle choke and then switched to a rear-naked choke. The referee stopped the match as Peiling was starting to lose consciousness.[54][55][56]
On June 23, 2013 (2013-06-23), it was announced that Kubota would face Lorena Klijn during the 2013 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup Japan Midsummer Festival event on August 3, 2013 (2013-08-03).[57][58] She defeated Klijn by majority decision after an extension round.[59][60]
On November 16, 2013 (2013-11-16), at Shoot Boxing Battle Summit: Ground Zero Tokyo 2013, Kubota defeated late replacement opponent Maylee Won. Pomas by unanimous decision.[61][62]
She was scheduled to fight Katie Klimansky-Casimir at Shootboxing 2014: Act 1 on February 23, 2014, but the fight was scrapped when the American fighter encountered immigration issues.[63]
Kubota was scheduled to fight Yuri Kim at Shoot Boxing 2013: Tomohiro Oikawa Retirement Event on December 23, 2013. She won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[64]
Kubota faced Seo Hee Im at Shoot Boxing 2014: Act 2, on April 18, 2014.[65] She won the fight by a first-round standing guillotine choke.[66]
2014 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup
Kubota participated in the 2014 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup tournament, and faced Simone van Dommelen in the quarterfinals. She beat Dommelen in the quarterfinals and Christina Jurjevic in the semifinals by unanimous decision. Kubota won the tournament with a second-round knockout of Thicha Rongrien Kila Korat.[67]
Kubota was scheduled to fight Isis Verbeek at 2014 Shoot Boxing World S-Cup, on November 30, 2014.[68] She beat Verbeek by unanimous decision.[69]
Kubota fought Elli Maria Ekström at No Kick, No Life 2015, on February 11, 2015.[70] Kubota won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[71]
Shoot Boxing Women's Flyweight champion
Kubota was scheduled to fight Kane Chopirom at Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup 2015, on August 21, 2015, for the vacant Shoot Boxing Women's Flyweight championship. Kubota won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, stopping her opponent through a series of knees.[72]
Kubota made her Rizin debut at the inaugural Rizin event, on April 17, 2016, against Cyndi Alves. She beat Alves by unanimous decision.[73]
Kubota made her first title defense against Klaudia Pawicka at Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup 2016, on July 7, 2016.[74] She won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, forcing her opponent's corner to throw in the towel mid-way through the round.[75]
Kubota's next fight was a non-title bout against Kinberly Novaes at Shoot Boxing World Tournament S-Cup 2016, on November 16, 2016.[76] She won the fight by a unanimous decision.[77]
Kubota fought Jleana Valentino in a non-title bout at Shoot Boxing Girl's S-Cup 2017, on July 7, 2017.[78] She beat Valentino by unanimous decision.[79]
Kubota was scheduled to fight another debutante, the three-time world wrestling champion Miyuu Yamamoto, at Rizin FF 2: Rizin World Grand-Prix 2016: 1st Round on September 25, 2016.[82] Kubota won the fight by a first-round submission, locking in a guillotine choke with ten seconds left in the round.[83]
Kubota was scheduled to fight Hanna Gujwan at Rizin FF 4: Rizin World Grand-Prix 2016: Final Round on December 31, 2016.[84] After an even first round, Kubota scored several knockdowns in the second round. She won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, dropping Gujwan with two liver kicks.[85]
Kubota was scheduled to fight Dóra Perjés at Rizin FF 5: Sakura on April 16, 2017. It was Perjés' first fight since March 14, 2015, when she suffered her first professional loss to Vuokko Katainen.[86] She won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, dropping Perjés with a liver punch at the 2:48 minute mark.[87]
Rizin Women's Super Atomweight GP 2017
It was announced on August 8, 2017, that Kubota would participate in the Rizin Super Atomweight Grand Prix. She was scheduled to face the former King of the Cage Atomweight champion Andy Nguyen in the quarterfinal bout at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 2 on October 15, 2017.[88] She won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Kubota began landing to the body as soon as the fight started, and ended the fight with a liver punch at the 3:23 minute mark.[89]
Advancing to the semifinals, Kubota faced Irene Cabello Rivera at Rizin World Grand-Prix 2017: Final Round on December 31, 2017.[90] Kubota won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[91]
Kubota was scheduled to fight Kanna Asakura in the finals of the Atomweight Grand Prix, held at Rizin World Grand-Prix 2017: Final Round on December 31, 2017. Asakura won the fight by a first-round submission. She locked in a rear-naked choke which rendered Kubota unconscious with 30 seconds left in the round.[92]
Post-Atomweight GP
Kubota was scheduled to fight Elaine Leal at Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup 2018, on July 6, 2018. It was her first mixed martial arts fight outside of Rizin. Kubota won the fight by unanimous decision.[93]
Kubota was scheduled to fight a rematch with Kanna Asakura at Rizin 11, on July 29, 2018. [94] Asakura outworked Kubota to a unanimous decision victory.[95]
Kubota was scheduled to fight Samantha Jean-Francois at Rizin 14 on December 31, 2018. Kubota later pulled out of the fight, with her teammate Mio Tsumura later explaining that Kubota withdrew due to a tough weight cut made worse by her menstrual cycle.[96] The fight was rescheduled for Rizin 15 on April 21, 2019.[97] Kubota won the fight by unanimous decision.[98]
Kubota was scheduled to fight Lindsey VanZandt at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019.[99] VanZandt won the fight by a first-round submission, choking Kubota unconscious with a rear-naked choke.[100]
It was announced that Kubota would face Shawna Ram at Rizin 19 on October 12, 2019.[101] On October 7, Rizin president Sakakibara revealed that Ram withdrew from the bout after suffering a concussion in training. Ram was replaced by the 0-3 Alexandra Alvare.[102] Kubota made quick work of Alvare, knocking her out after just 20 seconds.[103]
Kubota was scheduled to fight a rematch with Lindsey VanZandt at Rizin 20 on December 31, 2019. The rematch was scheduled six months after their first meeting, which VanZandt won by submission.[104] Kubota won by a third-round technical knockout, stopping her opponent with ground and pound with just 18 seconds left in the fight.[105]
Kubota moved up to strawweight for her next bout against Emi Tomimatsu. She was scheduled to fight the former Jewels champion at Rizin 24 on September 27, 2020.[106] Kubota won the fight by unanimous decision.[107]
Kubota faced Miyuu Yamamoto at Rizin 32 on November 20, 2021.[108] She won the bout after catching Yamamoto with a knee on a takedown attempt.[109]
Kubota faced the unbeaten Anastasiya Svetkivska in the quarterfinals of the Rizin Super Atomweight Grand Prix at Rizin 37 - Saitama on July 31, 2022.[112] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[113] Kubota was expected to face Seika Izawa in the tournament semifinals, but was forced to withdraw due to injury, as her orbital bone fracture hadn't yet healed.[114]
Kubota faced Claire Lopez in a -51 kg catchweight bout at Rizin Landmark 5 on April 29, 2023.[115] She lost the fight by a third-round submission.[116][117]
Kubota faced Shim Yu-ri at RIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23, 2024.[118] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[119]
^Hashimoto, Kinya (2009-12-21). ジュエルス1周年パーティ&表彰式 (in Japanese). Japan: Jewels official blog. Archived from the original on 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2010-09-01.