Miku Matsumoto Announces Retirement

Japan's struggling female MMA scene got some more bad news last night as Deep Women's Lightweight (106 lbs.) Champion Miku Matsumoto took to the ring during intermission at Deep's "46 Impact" show in Tokyo and abruptly announced her retirement.

Sherdog's Tony Loiseleur was on hand:

The only person tonight with any real news is Miku Matsumoto, who confirms the rumors that she is indeed retiring. She says that before her time is up however, she wants to have an exhibition match.

Matsumoto very vague on the details here. No mention is made for why she is retiring, nor against who or when she would like to have her farewell exhibition match.

Jordan Breen offered up some insight on the potential reasons behind Matsumoto's decision:

Initially, in talking to some people close to Miku, it was cast as "man trouble" or general, non-specific romantic life vagueness. However, as the weeks went on, people close to her said she was seriously depressed and not at all interested in fighting.

Many of the more senior women in the MMA community, like Yoko Takahashi and Megumi Yabushita apparently reached out to her, as well.

So, while I am loathe to turn this into a high school rumorfest, Miku's situation is allegedly far more personally pressing than the trite "Oh, Japanese women need to settle down and get married" theme we often see.

Of course, one glaring tragedy is that fans will be deprived of a bout between Miku and fellow women's pound-for-pounder Megumi Fujii (though behind-the-scenes roadblocks have prevented that fight for years, and may have continued to do so). It's wishful thinking to be sure, but here's hoping that's Miku's final "exhibition match."

The 28-year-old Matsumoto (23-4) retires on a 12-fight win streak which dates back to November of 2006.

Some video highlights from Miku's wave of mutilation after the jump.