Ex-RIZIN fighter and Invicta FC Flyweight Champion Kanako Murata has signed a UFC contract, per a report from Drake Riggs of MyMMANews. Murata has an 11-1 MMA record with most wins coming from the Japanese MMA scene.
Murata fought frequently in Japan’s top MMA promotion, RIZIN Fighting Federation. She went 5-1 in the promotion before heading to American women’s MMA promotion Invicta FC.
After a first-round win against Liana Pirosin, Murata won a split decision over Emily Ducote last November to become the new Invicta FC Flyweight Champion.
On Sunday, Murata thanked Invicta FC for her fights in the promotion.
“Thank you for letting me have a fantastic experience. Thank you for the wonderful environment every time,” said Murata in a Twitter post.
She also delivered a statement to Japanese fans through the RIZIN twitter account on Sunday.
Murata joins the long list of former Invicta FC fighters who got signed to the UFC. UFC’s last event on June 27th saw two Invicta FC fighters make their debut, as the promotion’s former atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey fought Kay Hansen.
She also joins the recent wave of RIZIN fighters who have been signed to the UFC. Champions in the promotion Manel Kape and Jiri Prochazka signed contracts earlier in the year.
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