MMA: Mei Yamaguchi banks on experience vs Angela Lee

Nissi Icasiano

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MMA: Mei Yamaguchi banks on experience vs Angela Lee
Yamaguchi, who has held the Valkyrie and Deep Jewels women’s featherweight titles in the past, stressed that her experience will play a pivotal role

SINGAPORE – Mei Yamaguchi may be entering the atomweight (105 pounds) championship clash against Angela Lee at ONE Championship’s “Ascent to Power” on Friday, May 6 as the underdog, but the Japanese fighter believes that she could be the roadblock to the Singaporean’s undefeated streak.

Yamaguchi, who has held the Valkyrie and Deep Jewels women’s featherweight titles in the past, stressed that her experience will play a pivotal role in trumping the highly-touted Singaporean prospect in their scheduled 5-round showdown for the promotion’s inaugural atomweight championship.

“I have been all over the world, fighting different caliber of opponents. I am not new to this. Don’t count me out yet because I am here to go back to Japan with another title,” she told Rappler.

Yamaguchi, whose record is 15-8-1, has 24 bouts under her belt and made sporadic appearances in several mixed martial arts organizations such as Jewels, Pacific Xtreme Combat and Deep.

The 33-year-old native of Tokyo, Japan toppled 3 different opponents in Dream Jewels’ 2015 grand prix tournament to capture the company’s featherweight belt.

Yamaguchi lauded her championship experience over Lee, who is fighting for the first time in a 5-round bout.

“She’s very young, but Angela managed to impress everyone with her skills and fighting spirit. But I fought the who’s who of the Asian region. I fought in tournaments and in title fights before. This is not new to me,” she said.

Originally from Waipahu, Hawaii but with roots in Singapore, Lee is undefeated in 5 professional outings, with all victories coming by way of submission.

However, Lee did not have a walk in the park in her last two matches as she struggled to secure the finish against the likes of untested combatants Lena Tkhorevska and Rebecca Heintzman.

Yamaguchi values what she brings to the table versus Lee as she is fully convinced that the gold-pated strap will be fastened around her waist.

“I am battle-tested fighter. If I can execute my game plan fluidly, I will get the job done. Don’t roll the red carpet yet because I am here to crash the party,” Yamaguchi maintained.  – Rappler.com

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