MMARising was first to report the match-up, confirming the clash with Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney.

The 25-1 Fujii’s only career loss came in Bellator by way of Split Decision to Zoila Gurgel in the final of the organization’s 2010 tournament to crown a 115-pound champion. She has since won three straight, most recently beating Karla Benitez with an opening round Armbar on New Year’s Eve in Japan. Seventeen of her total victories have involved some form of submission-based stoppage.

Aguilar has shown in the past her heart is as big as her trademark smile, battling through adversity on numerous occasions to pull out a win. She holds an overall record of 13-4 and won eight of her last nine with the only exception also involving Gurgel. “Jag” is currently on a four-fight run including a pair of triumphs under the Bellator banner.

Also mentioned was the possibility of Fujii and/or Aguilar competing in a 125-pound tournament being targeted for next season or in early 2013.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

Rather than let the sudden break in activity allow frustration to fester as some might, the 29-year old has remained positive and focused on a training schedule often involving more than five hours a day in various forms of MMA-related preparation. In fact, Aguilar’s sunny disposition rarely dims as she made evident in a conversation with Five Ounces of Pain earlier this week.

In the conversation, the 10-4 Aguilar shared her thoughts on her upcoming bout on Saturday, as well other fight-related topics, but also offered up her approach to life in general and showed why her work ethic in the gym is only matched by her dedication to optimism.

Aguilar’s life intersected with Mixed Martial Arts after an athletic career in her youth although one absent any form of combat.

“I’ve been an athlete all my life but never did combat sports. I did basketball, track, softball, soccer, golf…all those sports…but never trained anything related to MMA until I moved to Florida a few years ago. I just kind of fell into the sport.”

“I was offered my first fight in an American Top Team tournament I’d registered for,” she continued. “They were looking for a replacement for Erica Montoya to fight Lisa Ward. I had only five days to train for that fight but I took it and here I still am today. I was offered the opportunity and I took it, ran with it, and I’m grateful and honored to be here. Mixed Martial Arts became my passion.”

The partnership with ATT, a place she’s called home since 2006, eventually stuck after one of Aguilar’s acquaintances recommended someone who could provide a more-rounded gameplan where training was concerned, an introduction ultimately changing the mat specialist’s professional life forever.

“I needed all the arts…Muay Thai, ground… all of it and they didn’t have complete training at the place where I was at the time. She was taking private classes so she took me to ATT and introduced me to Marcos DaMatta,” a man who remains Aguilar’s main instructor. “I signed up, he said here’s the schedule, I showed up for classes, and here I am and I’m still with American Top Team five and a half years later.”

Working with the famed Florida-based camp alongside fighters like Mike Brown, Jorge Masvidal, and many more, is something Aguilar rightfully feels is in her favor based on the quality of partners, saying, “It’s a huge advantage for me. I get the best training. I train with the guys so when I go in there and fight with the girls it’s easy. They take care of me very well. I get respect there. They treat me like I’m family. I love my camp and I’m grateful I landed where I did.”

Her countless hours of commitment to success have set her up for Saturday’s fight with Esparza, a ground-based competitor like Aguilar though one “Jag” is more than ready for if action hits the canvas.

“I love the ground. That’s my first discipline and my strongest discipline,” said the winner of seven by submission. “I’ve trained really hard with my stand-up, my wrestling, so I’m going to be comfortable anywhere. Everyday I learn something new so whatever she wants to take the fight, and wherever I want to take the fight, I’ll fight. But I want to end up on the ground. I’m looking for the submission but I have some surprises I might come out with so you guys better stay tuned!”

Though her eyes are squarely on Esparza, Aguilar is hopeful a victory at Bellator 46 will set her up for a rematch with divisional champ Zoila Gurgel. The two fought in last September’s tournament semi-final where Gurgel walked away winner albeit due to a razor thin Split Decision.

“When things go as planned this weekend – after I win – I want that opportunity at Zoila,” she began before making it clear her desire is based on the belt and not personal. “It’s nothing against her. She fought her fight and it’s not her fault. They gave her the decision and she went on to win the belt. Congratulations for her. But I want that rematch.”

True to form, the loss to Gurgel also didn’t spoil Aguilar’s interest in giving another Bellator tournament run a go even if doing so required a change in weight.

“Absolutely,” she replied enthusiastically when asked about repeating the feat. “My plan for this year is, after this win, to get a chance at the belt and finish 2011 with the 115-pound title. I’ve also heard rumors about there being a 125-pound tournament, and I’d also go up in weight to fight (if so).”

Her positive outlook on life and openness to accepting all challenges stems from a saying, one of many fans can find offered up on a frequent basis through her Twitter feed.

“My favorite quote and what I always go by is, ‘Smile and believe.’ I like to stay positive as possible. I like to make people smile and I like to smile a lot. That’s why every time I write an email I sign ‘Jag’ with a smiley-face. When I write my signature it has two eyes and a smiley face. I just like to be positive. I read motivational quotes and I like to put them out there for other people.”

In the end, Aguilar offered appreciation for the people who have helped her whether directly or through motivation, saying, “I’d to thank all the fans for helping me out and supporting me. My sponsors who have helped me throughout my career. I’d like to name all of them but I don’t want to miss anyone,” before adding a final message. “Look out, watch my fight this weekend against Esparza, and hopefully by the end of the year I’ll be fighting for the 115-pound championship belt!”

Aguilar has finished nine of the ten opponents she’s beaten and hasn’t been finished since her professional unveiling in February 2006. She’s won five of her last six fights, the exception being the loss to Gurgel, with three of the victories coming in the first frame. You can learn more about “Jag” by visiting her website.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

FiveOuncesOfPain.com confirmed after Sexton responded to a request for comment that was submitted by e-mail.

“I’m excited to be part of this new promotion and looking forward to fighting on their first show,” wrote Sexton.

Sexton, who is ranked third in WAMMA’s bantamweight (115.1 to 125 pounds) rankings, revealed that she has signed a four fight deal with Bellator and that her fight vs. Aguilar will be contested as 120 pounds.
Aguilar, 5-2, is a fighter that Sexton is very familiar with.

“I met Jessica when we were both in Vancouver with BodogFIGHT,” said Sexton. “She’s a talented fighter with a lot of heart. She trains with American Top Team and she’s going to be the hometown fighter, but they’ve not picked an easy fight for her –- you’ve got to respect that.

“On paper, I may be the favorite, but I know she’s been preparing for this event for a while, and she’ll be going out there with every intention of causing the upset. I’m training like mad right now, and feeling really good at the lighter weight class.”

Sexton, 9-1, last competed in a 130 pound bout during a ShoXC event this past August. Facing long-time veteran Debi Purcell, Sexton defeated her via split decision.

Bellator’s April 3 event will be taped at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fal. and will air on a live-to-tape format the next night on ESPN Deportes. Featured matchups include lightweight tournament bouts between Eddie Alvarez vs. Daniel Morales and Jorge Masvidal vs. Diego Garijo. The Sexton vs. Aguilar matchup is not currently scheduled to air during the telecast.

Five Ounces of Pain has learned that Karalexis has been suffering from a cracked rib and was trying to receive clearance by Zuffa’s doctors to fight as scheduled against Todd Moore. Karalexis did not get the clean bill of health that he was looking for, as lightweight prospect and recent signee Shane Roller has been tapped to fill-in for Karalexis against Moore.

When contacted by Five Ounces of Pain for comment, Ken Pavia, Moore’s agent, confirmed that Karalexis was in fact out and that Moore’s new opponent is indeed Roller.

Roller, a member of Ted Ehrhardt’s Team Takedown, recently signed a multi-fight contract with the WEC along with stablemates Jake Rosholt and Johny Hendricks. Rosholt and Hendricks will both debut for the WEC on Sept. 10, with Rosholt set to face Danillo Villefort and Hendricks slated to face off with Alex Serdyukov.

Five Ounces of Pain contacted Villefort via text earlier this afternoon. Initially, he was unsure the matchup vs. Rosholt had been set but he later responded to indicate that the fight is indeed on. We have also learned from a separate source that Villefort, formerly of the IFL, has signed a five-fight contract with the WEC.

Roller’s original debut date had been tentatively scheduled for December but a source indicated that the WEC asked him to be ready for fight on the Aug. 3 and Sept. 10 card in the event of an injury.

Here’s the latest on WEC 35:

Main Card

• Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura (Welterweight Title Fight)
• Brian Stann vs. Steve Cantwell (Light Heavyweight Title Fight)
• Jamie Varner vs. Marcus Hicks (Lightweight Title Fight)
• Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page
• Josh Grispi vs. Micah Miller

Undercard

• Brock Larson vs. Carlo Prater
• Blas Avena vs. Dave Terrel
• Cub Swanson vs. Hiroyuki Takaya
• Alex Karalexis vs. Todd Moore
• Mike Budnik vs. Greg McIntyre
• Scott Jorgensen vs. Kenji Osawa

Fight card subject to change; bouts will be added as we confirm them.

Check out more WEC 35 content on Five Ounces of Pain

The “Streetfight Bancho” will make his return to the cage in August, but finding his first stateside win might not be so easy. Hiroyuki Takaya will take on up-and-coming 145-pounder Cub Swanson at the next WEC offering in Las Vegas on August 3. A source close to Takaya confirmed the bout to Sherdog.com.

This is a great fight for the WEC to put on a televised portion of the undercard. Swanson will surely be looking to redeem himself after a quick submission loss to Jens Pulver. Swanson has since recorded a submission victory fighting outside of the WEC but getting himself a win over Takaya would put him right back on track at 145 lbs.

Takaya will be looking to do the same after he was upset at by Leonard Garcia earlier in the year at Garcia’s 145 lbs. debut in the organization. Takaya is a beastly striker and one of the more highly regarded Japanese prospects to come to the U.S. and fight for the WEC. Great matchmaking by the WEC here and an opportunity for both guys to get right back into the mix of things with a win.