{{Short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Sumiko Inaba | image = | image_size = | other_names = Lady Samurai | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|02|06}} | birth_place = Pukalani, Hawaii, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | height = {{height|ft=5|in=4}} | weight_lb = 125 | weight_class = Flyweight | reach = 64.0 in | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Hawaii, U.S. | team = Fly Pen Boxing <br/> Maui | years_active = 2020–present | kickbox_win = | kickbox_kowin = | kickbox_loss = | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_kowin = 4 | mma_subwin = 1 | mma_decwin = 3 | mma_koloss = | mma_subloss = | mma_decloss = 3 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | am_label = Amateur boxing record | am_win = 4 | am_kowin = 3 | am_subwin = | am_loss = 1 | am_koloss = | am_subloss = | am_draw = | am_nc = | website = | sherdog = 290921 | footnotes = | updated = }} '''Sumiko Inaba''' (born February 6, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Women's Flyweight division of the Professional Fighters League. As of April 21, 2026, she is #9 in the PFL women's flyweight rankings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PFL Rankings |url=https://pflmma.com/rankings |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=pflmma.com}}</ref>
== Background == After graduating King Kekaulike High School, Inaba studied nursing before she discovered mixed martial arts while attending boxing classes to get into shape.
She has a daughter, Kiyarah-Lei, who was born around 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major motivation: Inaba fights with daughter in mind |url=https://www.mauinews.com/sports/local-sports/2021/10/major-motivation-inaba-fights-with-daughter-in-mind/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=mauinews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sumiko Inaba: The Lady Samurai {{!}} MauiTimes.News |url=https://mauitimes.news/sumiko-inaba-the-lady-samurai/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=mauitimes.news|date=14 April 2022 |last1=Shafer |first1=Jacob }}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career==
===Early career=== She went 6-1 as an amateur, including four TKOs and one submission. After the pandemic put her career in the travel industry on hiatus, she put her full-time efforts into training. She decided to go professional in 2020 and landed an endorsement with Hilo-based Waiakea Water Company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two wins in two fights, Inaba hungry for more |url=https://www.mauinews.com/sports/local-sports/2021/06/two-wins-in-two-fights-inaba-hungry-for-more/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=mauinews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coming off victorious pro debut, Inaba ready to keep on fighting |url=https://www.mauinews.com/sports/local-sports/2020/11/coming-off-victorious-pro-debut-inaba-ready-to-keep-on-fighting/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=mauinews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Bellator MMA=== After a successful amateur career, Inaba signed with Bellator MMA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report: Bellator MMA Signs Sumiko Inaba {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/mma/report-bellator-mma-signs-sumiko-inaba |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=www.fightful.com |date=30 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
She made her professional MMA debut against Jessica Ruiz on November 5, 2020, at Bellator 251.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-05 |title=Sumiko Inaba out to shows she's an MMA fighter in pro debut at Bellator 251 {{!}} MMAWeekly.com |url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/sumiko-inaba-out-to-shows-shes-an-mma-fighter-in-pro-debut-at-bellator-251 |access-date=2022-04-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In her sophomore performance, Inaba faced Kristina Katsikis on May 21, 2021, at Bellator 259.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonagh |first=Joe |date=2021-05-10 |title=Bellator 259 Adds Hawaiian Sensation Sumiko Inaba vs. Kristina Katsikis |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/05/10/bellator-259-adds-hawaiian-sensation-prelim-battle/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> She won the bout via third-round TKO.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-21 |title=Maui's Sumiko Inaba scores TKO victory over Kristina Katsikis at Bellator 259 |url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/mauis-sumiko-inaba-scores-tko-victory-over-kristina-katsikis-at-bellator-259/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=KHON2 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Inaba faced Randi Field on October 16, 2021, at Bellator 268. She won the bout via arm-triangle choke in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-17 |title=Sumiko Inaba elated after Bellator 268 submission win: 'That was great' |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/bellator-268-sumiko-inaba-elated-after-submission-win |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sumiko Inaba elated after Bellator 268 submission win: 'That was great' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/sumiko-inaba-elated-bellator-268-165037839.html |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=sports.yahoo.com |date=17 October 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Inaba faced Whittany Pyles on April 23, 2022, at Bellator 279.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-04-06 |title=Sumiko Inaba Puts Undefeated Record on the Line at Bellator 279 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/06/sumiko-inaba-puts-undefeated-record-line-bellator-279/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> At the weigh-ins, Pyles missed weight for her bout, weighing in at 127.4 pounds, 1.4 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Pyles was fined a percentage of her purse, which went to Inaba.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=Bellator 279 weigh-in results: Title bout competitors on point, but one prelim fighter misses her mark |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/bellator-279-honolulu-hawaii-cris-cyborg-arlene-blencowe-ilima-lei-macfarlane-weigh-in-results |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> Inaba knocked out her opponent with a left hook in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newswire |first=MMA Fighting |date=2022-04-23 |title=Bellator 279 Results: Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/4/23/23036704/bellator-279-results-cyborg-vs-blencowe-2 |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>
Inaba faced Nadine Mandiau on October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Nolan |date=2022-08-24 |title=Rising prospect Sumiko Inaba set to return at Bellator 286 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/bellator-286-news-sumiko-inaba-vs-nadine-mandiau-long-beach |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> She won the bout after grinding out a unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samano |first=Simon |date=2022-10-02 |title=Bellator 286 results: Sumiko Inaba pushed by Nadine Mandiau, grinds out unanimous decision win |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/10/bellator-286-results-sumiko-inaba-wins-decision-nadine-mandiau |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref>
Inaba faced Veta Arteaga on April 22, 2023, at Bellator 295.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heck |first=Mike |date=2023-02-15 |title=Bellator returns to Hawaii with doubleheader, Raufeon Stots vs. Patchy Mix and Liz Carmouche vs. DeAnna Bennett title fights |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/15/23600924/bellator-returns-to-hawaii-raufeon-stots-vs-patchy-mix-liz-carmouche-vs-deanna-bennett-title-fights |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref> She won the bout via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bellator 295 'Stots vs. Mix' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-295-Stots-vs-Mix-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-189796#veta-arteaga-(1268)-sumiko-inaba-(124.4) |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
Inaba faced Denise Kielholtz on November 17, 2023, at Bellator 301.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-13 |title=Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/09/bellator-301-fight-card-amosov-vs-jackson-pettis-vs-mix |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> In a bout contested mostly on the feet, Kielholtz maintained the advantage and won the bout via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=Maui's Sumiko Inaba suffers first career loss at Bellator 301 |url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/mauis-sumiko-inaba-suffers-first-career-loss-at-bellator-301/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=KHON2 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Inaba was scheduled to Kaytlin Neil on April 4, 2024 at PFL 1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2024-03-11 |title=PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/3/11/24097668/pfl-announces-full-line-up-three-season-events-debut-bellator-champions |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref> However, a week before the event it was announced that Inaba had pulled out.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=Cappelozza removed from PFL card on April 4 |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/39816006/bruno-cappelozza-removed-pfl-fight-card-april-4 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Professional Fighters League=== Inaba made her debut with the Professional Fighters League on June 13, 2024 as she faced Saray Orozco at PFL 4. She won the bout via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maui's Sumiko Inaba wins Professional Fighters League debut via split decision |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2024/06/13/pfl-mma-sumiko-inaba-debut-win-2024 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
Inaba faced Mackenzie Stiller on September 7, 2024 at Bellator Champions Series 4. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sumiko Inaba goes from being taken down to finishing with brutal ground-and-pound |url=https://bellator.com/news/sumiko-inaba-goes-from-being-taken-down-to-finishing-with-brutal-groundandpound |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=bellator.com}}</ref>
Inaba faced Dakota Ditcheva on July 19, 2025, at PFL Champions Series 2. She lost the bout unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PFL Champions Series Africa live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/pfl/2025/07/19/pfl-africa-live-results-johnny-eblen-vs-costello-van-steenis/85284622007/|website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Inaba faced Ariane da Silva on March 28, 2026, at PFL Pittsburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2026-01-30 |title=2 ex-UFC fighters added to PFL Pittsburgh main card UFC veterans set for PFL debuts |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/pfl/468730/2-ex-ufc-fighters-added-to-pfl-pittsburgh-main-card |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=MMA Fighting: UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) News, Results |language=en-US}}</ref> She lost the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirven |first=J.L. |title=Johnny Eblen starches Bryan Battle in PFL Pittsburgh main event |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Johnny-Eblen-starches-Bryan-Battle-in-PFL-Pittsburgh-main-event-200624 |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 4 | sub-wins= 1 | dec-wins= 3 | ko-losses= | sub-losses= | dec-losses= 3 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|8–3 |Ariane da Silva |Decision (unanimous) |PFL Pittsburgh: Eblen vs. Battle |{{dts|2026|March|28}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Moon Township, Pennsylvania, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|8–2 |Dakota Ditcheva |Decision (unanimous) |PFL Champions Series 2 |{{dts|2025|July|19}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Cape Town, South Africa | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|8–1 |Mackenzie Stiller |TKO (punches) |Bellator Champions Series 4 |{{dts|2024|September|7}} |align=center|2 |align=center|4:25 |San Diego, California, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|7–1 |Saray Orozco |Decision (split) |PFL 4 (2024) |{{dts|2024|June|13}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|6–1 |Denise Kielholtz |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 301 |{{dts|2023|November|17}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Chicago, Illinois, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|6–0 |Veta Arteaga |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 295 |{{dts|2023|April|22}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center| 5–0 |Nadine Mandiau |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 286 |{{dts|2022|October|1}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Long Beach, California, United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 4–0 | Whittany Pyles | KO (punches) | Bellator 279 | {{dts|2022|April|23}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:22 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | {{small|Catchweight (127.4 lb) bout; Pyles missed weight.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 3–0 | Randi Field | Submission (arm-triangle choke) |Bellator 268 |{{dts|2021|October|16}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:02 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 2–0 | Kristina Katsikis | TKO (punches) |Bellator 259 |{{dts|2021|May|21}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:35 |Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 1–0 | Jessica Ruiz | TKO (elbows) |Bellator 251 |{{dts|2020|November|5}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:59 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | {{end}}
{{MMA amateur record box | draws= | nc= | ko-wins=4 | ko-losses= | sub-wins= 1 | sub-losses= | dec-wins=1 | dec-losses=1 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 6–1 | Kelsey Gilmore | TKO (punches) | Cowboy Fight Series 2 | {{dts|2019.06.29}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 0:57 | Sterling, Virginia, United States | {{small|Won the vacant CFS Flyweight Championship.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 5–1 | Nadine Mandiau | TKO (punches) | Tuff-N-Uff: Fight Night Henderson | {{dts|2018.10.05}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:05 | Henderson, Nevada, United States | {{small|Won the TUFF Strawweight Championship.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 4–1 | Tenika Waldroup | Submission (armbar) | Tuff-N-Uff: Pack The Mack | {{dts|2018.06.30}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:03 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | {{small|Won the TUFF Flyweight Championship.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 3–1 | Brianne Jhun | Decision (unanimous) | War on the Valley Isle 6 | {{dts|2017.11.11}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:00 | Wailuku, Hawaii, United States | {{small|Won the SBC Flyweight Championship.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 2–1 | Des Vida | TKO (punches) | War on the Valley Isle 5 | {{dts|2016.11.12}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:31 | Wailuku, Hawaii, United States | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 1–1 | Kendra Elizabeth Linn | Decision (majority) | Maui FC 6 | {{dts|2016.03.26}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:00 | Maui, Hawaii, United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 1–0 | Katherine Antoniak | TKO (punches) | War on the Valley Isle 3 | {{dts|2014.11.08}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 1:49 | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | {{end}} <ref>{{Cite web|title=Sumiko Inaba|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Sumiko-Inaba-290921|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Sherdog}}</ref>
==See also== * List of current Bellator fighters * List of female mixed martial artists
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Sherdog|290921}} * {{Bellator|1523}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Inaba, Sumiko}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:American female mixed martial artists Category:Flyweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Category:Bellator female fighters Category:American people of Japanese descent Category:Sportspeople of Japanese descent Category:21st-century American sportswomen