Aya Koyama (小山 亜矢, Koyama Aya, 8 March 1973 – 27 August 2018), better known by her stage name Aliya (亜利弥’), was a Japanese female mixed martial artist and a professional wrestler.[1][2] She started her career as a pro wrestler in 1996 before starting to compete in mixed martial arts from 2001.[3] Aya Koyama died on 27 August 2018 at the age of 45 due to cancer.[4][5][6]
| Aya Koyama | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 8 March 1973 Wakayama, Japan |
| Died | 27 August 2018 (aged 45) |
| Other names | Aliya |
| Residence | Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 58 kg (128 lb; 9 st 2 lb) |
| Style | Professional wrestling |
| Team | AJW (1996-2001) Jd' (1996) |
| Years active | 1996-2001 & 2005-2008 (wrestling) 2001-2004 & 2010 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 15 |
| Wins | 4 |
| By knockout | 0 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 0 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 0 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | wrestler, mixed martial artist |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: August 28, 2018 | |
Career
She debuted in 1996 as a professional wrestler with JDStar and later competed for promotions such as All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.[7] In 2001, she took a brief break from professional wrestling to focus in the mixed martial arts. However, she returned to wrestling in 2005 by using the name "Aliya".[8]
She began competing professionally in MMA from May 2001 and lost her opening match to Anna Kopyrina (on 3 May 2001).[9] She faced disastrous start during her mixed martial arts career by losing her first five consecutive matches and ended her career with 4 wins, 10 losses and 1 draw (4-10-1).[10] She fought her last MMA match while she was battling with level 4 cancer on 10 October 2010 following her comeback to mixed martial arts after six years and lost it to Miki Morifuji.[11]
Mixed martial arts record
| 15 matches | 4 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 6 |
| By decision | 0 | 4 |
| Draws | 1 | |