HONOLULU – Sumiko Inaba is happy to eventually climb her way to a title shot after Bellator 295.
The undefeated Hawaii native picked up arguably her biggest win yet when she defeated Veta Arteaga by unanimous decision at Saturday’s Bellator 295 event at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena.
As she climbs up the flyweight ranks, Inaba (6-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) was happy to prove she belongs with a win over top-10 Arteaga.
“That was huge to get over that,” Inaba told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “Especially here in Hawaii, you know. I feel the energy of my crowd, and I’m excited. I’m excited for what’s to come. I want to just keep moving up the rankings and taking on tougher opponents and proving myself as a martial artist.”
With lima-Lei Macfarlane defeating Kana Watanabe, Bellator president Scott Coker wants to see her next in line for champion Liz Carmouche. As for Inaba, she’s not worried about the pecking order.
“I love the pace that I’m going at,” Inaba said. “Whatever Bellator has for me. They’ve only ever been amazing to me and all the opportunities that I get. I got to fight twice in my home. I can’t be more than grateful for that.
“I know they have a great plan set out for me, and I just take it one fight at a time. Just make my way up that ladder, and one day I’ll fight for that title definitely.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.
