The 28-year-old was heavily influenced by MMA legend Megumi Fujii, and at the age of 10 she even learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling from her.
As a result of that training, Sawada compiled a career record of 10-1 ahead of her pivotal showdown with Salcedo. Should the Japanese standout win, she could break into the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title picture, and she explains why she wants to fight both the reigning queen, Denice Zamboanga, and the former champion, Stamp Fairtex.
Atomicweight contender Chihiro Sawada Credits Legendary Fujii
Reflecting on her training during her formative years under one of Japan’s most talented MMA pioneers, Chihiro Sawada described the profound impact Fujii had on her development in the martial arts. The atomweight contender revealed that learning from a famous athlete during childhood created aspirations to achieve similar legendary status in martial arts.
“When I was about ten years old, she taught me BJJ and wrestling. When I learned from her, she was a famous female athlete in Japan, so I admired her and thought that maybe one day I could be someone like her,” said Chihiro Sawada.
Early exposure to high-level wrestling instruction from a living legend provided technical advantages that shaped Sawada’s explosive wrestling style. Her transition from wrestling to MMA in 2021 allowed her to apply those fundamental skills within mixed martial arts competition, where her takedowns and ground control have troubled countless opponents during her professional run.
Chihiro Sawada honors Fujii’s legacy in Japanese MMA history
In addition to personal gratitude, Chihiro Sawada highlighted Fujii’s broader significance to Japanese mixed martial arts and her status as an inspiration that transcends gender differences. The 28-year-old participant expressed her appreciation for the technical knowledge gained while recognizing her mentor’s iconic place in the history of the sport.
“Fujii Megumi-san is an idol for Japanese MMA, not just female fighters. I am grateful to have learned mixed martial arts techniques from her. She is a great idol for us here, and is part of the history of Japanese MMA,” Sawada said.
The respectful recognition demonstrates an understanding of how pioneering athletes create pathways for future generations while establishing technical standards that define entire eras of competition.
Chihiro Sawada’s title ambitions and dream matches
Chihiro Sawada looked beyond her immediate challenge and revealed her ultimate goal: capturing ONE Championship gold. But that’s just the beginning. The Japanese wrestler identified specific dream opponents, including current atomweight titleholder Zamboanga and former three-sport champion Stamp.
“I would love to win the ONE Championship title. It’s so cool. If I can win the ONE World Title, I won’t be satisfied with just that title because I want to fight the best. This includes Denice Zamboanga. And I [also] wants to fight Stamp Fairtex” said Sawada.
If Sawada could hand Salcedo her first career loss, it would make her a legitimate threat to Zamboanga’s throne and put her in line for a shot at gold.
ONE Fight Night 39 will air live on Prime Video on Friday, January 24. The action starts at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the US and Canada.
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