Bellator 279: Sumiko Inaba Wants to Get Name Out, Get In the Rankings

Hawaiian flyweight Sumiko Inaba improved to 4-0 as a professional at Bellator 279 on Saturday — and for the first time, got to compete at home for the promotion.

Inaba’s homecoming was part of a two-night stint in Honolulu, marking the first time the promotion had returned to the island state since prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Inaba made the most of the opportunity, securing a first round knockout of opponent Whittany Pyles.

That’s four finishes in four fights for “Lady Samurai,” for those keeping score. Following the win, Inaba was asked what message she would give to those watching in the stands.

“Keep chasing your dreams. It’s so possible. It is 100% possible to do whatever you set your mind to,” an emotional Inaba replied, tearing up. “If you put in the hard work, there’s nothing you can do other than show it in that cage. I just kept telling myself that today, I put in hours and hours of hard work for this 15 minutes or less. That was amazing, to feel that reward of all that hard work today.”

While Inaba isn’t the type to call anyone out after a win, she did agree that the rankings are the next logical step. Both Valerie Loureda and Diana Avsaragova have five fights as professionals, and are at the bottom end of the top 10. Inaba’s next fight will also be her fifth.

“For sure, of course. I want my name to be out there, I want to be up in the rankings, and that’s my goal, to keep climbing it, get my name out there,” she told Cageside Press. “Perform like this, and I feel like the fans and people will follow. Just keep getting these wins in.”

While some might have to restrain themselves going into a big fight at home, so as not to get too excited, for Inaba, there was no need.

“Honestly I told myself that, I feed off of energy. And I told myself ahead of time to be ready for it. I pictured the crowd, I pictured the intensity, the energy. So I was definitely ready for it, but you can’t mimic the energy that’s in that room. So I just went with it, and came out with that performance, so it was awesome.”

Watch the full Bellator 279 post-fight press conference with Sumiko Inaba above. More coverage can be found below.