Chihiro Sawada Chases the Legacy Her Japanese Idol Built
Chihiro Sawada was 10 years old when she first stepped onto the mats under Megumi Fujii’s instruction, learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling from a woman who had already become a legend in Japanese MMA. The encounters shaped everything that followed — a professional career built on suffocating grappling, a path toward ONE Championship gold, and the understanding that inspiration requires transformation into action.
The 28-year-old returns to action Friday, January 23, facing undefeated American Natalie Salcedo at ONE Fight Night 39, carrying both the lessons learned from her idol and the weight of trying to surpass what Fujii accomplished in a different era.
“When I was around 10 years old, she taught me BJJ and wrestling,” Sawada said. “When I was learning from her, she was a famous female athlete in Japan, so I admired her, and thought maybe one day, I could be someone like her.”
The admiration led to focus. Young Sawada recognized her wrestling deficiencies and attacked them directly, building the foundation for a grappling game that now defines her competitive identity. Once fights hit the canvas, opponents find little room to breathe under her suffocating control.
Fujii retired in 2013 at age 39 with 26 victories in 29 professional bouts, 19 by submission. Those credentials resonated deeply with her young student, who would later follow a similar path while understanding the landscape had fundamentally changed.
Since making her promotional debut in 2023, Sawada has posted five wins in six ONE appearances. She needed less than two rounds to secure an Americana submission over Sanaz Fayazmanesh at ONE Friday Fights 5. Most recently, she showcased sustained positional dominance to outwork fellow Japanese standout Itsuki Hirata over three rounds, earning a unanimous decision at ONE 173 last November.
The connection to Fujii extended beyond those early lessons. Before graduating high school, Sawada sought guidance about pursuing professional MMA. When she fought professionally in Shooto, Fujii supported her journey. The relationship evolved from teacher-student to mutual respect between professionals.
“We don’t have such a close relationship now, but whenever I have a fight, and when I win the fight, she’ll message me and show her support in each of my fights,” Sawada said.
The support matters, but comparison proves impossible. Fujii competed when women’s MMA existed in the shadows, building the foundation that allowed fighters like Sawada to pursue championship dreams on a global stage. Today’s landscape features deeper talent pools and higher competitive standards.
“It’s quite difficult to compare myself to Megumi Fujii,” Sawada said. “Until now, I can’t compare myself to Fujii-san. She’s on quite a different level. It’s a different circumstance and situation today.”
The difference doesn’t diminish the ambition. Sawada rides a two-fight winning streak into Friday’s atomweight clash, positioning herself deeper into title contention with each victory. She’s identified the ultimate benchmarks — reigning champion Denice Zamboanga and former queen Stamp Fairtex.
“I would love to win the ONE Championship belt,” Sawada said. “If I can win the ONE World Title, I won’t be satisfied with just that belt, because I’d like to fight against the best. This includes Denice Zamboanga. And I [also] want to fight against Stamp Fairtex.”
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