Lisa Ward: Interview

The Bellator Season 3 Women’s Tournament continues in Lake Charles, Louisiana as the undefeated #1 female fighter in the world Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii (21-0) faces off against the fourth ranked 115 pounder and dangerous veteran submission specialist Lisa Ward (14-5-1) in semi-final action on September 30th to move one step closer to becoming the first ever Bellator Women’s Champion.

The pair of top female fighters are far from strangers. In their only other previous meeting, Fujii ended the fight early with a controversial armbar submission. Nearly three years since the outcome, Ward still doesn’t agree with the result.

“My loss to Megumi should have been a no contest,” said Ward. “The fight was stopped because the referee thought I tapped and admitted he never actually saw it. I’m not sure what he was thinking, but I was defending properly and was in NO danger of submitting. Megumi is a great competitor, but in this fight, I’m going to play my game, and deliver her the first loss in her career.”

The confidence Ward exudes may be from her impressive victory over the previously undefeated Aisling “Ash the Bash” Daly in the Quarterfinals of the Women’s Tournament back at Bellator 26 in dominating fashion.

While slightly worried about Daley’s perfect record heading into the fight, Ward took control of the fight right out of the gate, and didn’t let up until the final bell sounded.

“I was a bit intimidated by her perfect record, but when I saw the caliber of her opponents I knew she was going to have a big test on her hands with me,” said Ward. “No disrespect to any of her wins; I just feel the girls I have fought are on a whole different level. When I stepped in the ring, I became completely confident and knew she would have to kill me before I would lose.”

The intimidation Ward felt may come into play again when she enters the ring against the world’s top female fighter Megumi Fujii for a shot at the Bellator Women’s Championship.

Fujii knows she has a target on her back, but she plans on using the pressure to her benefit when she steps in the ring.

“To be undefeated is a great challenge,” said a modest Fujii. “It makes me train harder and I try to focus on being a better fight than my last fight. I use the pressure of my record to help take my fighting to the next level.”