Bellator signs undefeated Japanese standout Kana Watanabe to multifight contract

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Undefeated Japanese standout Kana Watanabe is headed to Bellator.

The latest member of a recent influx of rising talent to sign with Bellator, Watanabe (9-0-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) has inked a multifight deal, Bellator president Scott Coker told MMA Junkie on Wednesday.

“Kana Watanabe is an Olympic judo qualifier, so she’s got extremely great judo technique. She fought last year in the RIZIN show against Bellator, and she beat one of our Brazilian girls, so she kind of caught my eye a little bit,” Coker said. “She’s been working on her striking over there, and she’s working on her complete game. We had the opportunity to sign her through RIZIN, so we made a deal.”

At this time, no specific opponent, date, or location have been set for Watanabe’s debut.

Watanabe, 32, competed in a one-off for Bellator in December 2019. At Bellator 237 in Saitama, Watanabe defeated surging contender Ilara Joanne by third-round ground-and-pound stoppage.

Prior to her Bellator debut, Watanabe competed for the RIZIN and DEEP JEWELS promotion in Japan. In her nine professional victories, Watanabe has finished six fights – including three submissions and three knockouts.

Watanabe joins the Bellator women’s flyweight division headed by champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and contenders Juliana Velasquez, Liz Carmouche, and Denise Keilholtz.

On Thursday, the Bellator women’s flyweight title will be on the line at Bellator 254. The event, which takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena, is headlined by Macfarlane as she takes on Velasquez. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network after prelims on MMA Junkie.