Miriam Nakamoto

Miriam Herbie Nakamoto (born August 5, 1976) is an American professional female Muay Thai fighter and mixed martial artist fighting at Bantamweight (135 pounds).

Early life Nakamoto was born in the U.S. state of Hawaii and began training in Muay Thai at 23 years old. She later moved to California to live with her father and a stepmother. Nakamoto's great grandmother arrived in Hawaii as a picture bride.

Muay Thai career Nakamoto began fighting Muay Thai professionally in 2005. She retired with an undefeated 14-0 record.

Mixed martial arts career

Red Canvas In 2012, Nakamoto made the transition to MMA. On September 15, 2012, Nakamoto made her MMA debut at Red Canvas Fight Promotions- Art of Submission 2. Nakamoto finished her opponent, Elizabeth Phillips, with knees in the 2nd round.

Invicta Fighting Championships Nakamoto made her Invicta FC debut on April 5, 2013, at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson. She knocked out future The Ultimate Fighter 18 contestant Jessamyn “The Gun” Duke in the first round to win the IFC: Knock out of the Night. The result was originally a KO for Nakamoto, but over a month later, the Missouri Office of Athletics changed it to a no contest due to an illegal knee.

Nakamoto returned to Invicta FC for their next event, Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg. She faced professional boxer Duda Yankovich. Nakamoto won by first-round TKO to knee and punches. She again received the IFC: Knock out of the Night.

Nakamoto faced undefeated Lauren Murphy for the inaugural Invicta FC bantamweight championship belt at Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith on December 7, 2013. Nakamoto lost the fight in the fourth round when she injured her knee.

On July 28, 2019, Nakamoto announced that Joe Rogan paid for her stem-cell therapy to treat her meniscus, which had a Grade 3 lesion and prevented her from fighting since 2013.

Television and film In 2005, Nakamoto was the Female Lead in the music video Tired of Being Sorry directed by Joaquin Phoenix and performed by indie rock band Ringside. In 2007, Miriam was on the hit reality TV show, Fight Girls, which aired on the Oxygen Channel. In episode 5, Nakamoto defeated housemate Jennifer Tate by split decision after three exhibition rounds.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Invicta Fighting Championships Knockout of the Night (Two times)

Muay Thai World Championship Kickboxing 2012 WCK Champion of Champions Super Lightweight Champion World Boxing Council Muaythai 2010 WBC Muaythai World Lightweight Champion (Two title defenses) World Muaythai Council 2010 WMC World Lightweight Champion Thai Boxing Association 2010 TBA World Lightweight Champion World Professional Muaythai Federation 2007 WPMF Light Welterweight Champion International Federation of Muaythai Amateur 2009 IFMA Muaythai World Championships Gold Medalist Light Welterweight 2009 IFMA Muaythai World Championships Best Female Boxer

Amateur boxing San Francisco Golden Gloves 2004 Champion

Kickboxing record (incomplete)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Lauren Murphy TKO (knee injury) Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Duda Yankovich TKO (knee and punches) Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg

Kansas City, Missouri, United States NC

Jessamyn Duke NC (overturned) Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Elizabeth Phillips TKO (knees) Red Canvas - Art of Submission 2

San Jose, California, United States

Professional boxing record