Gina Iniong steps in for Angela Lee, will face Mei Yamaguchi in Singapore

MANILA- Female atomweight phenom Gina Iniong of Baguio City’s Team Lakay has stepped up in two weeks notice to face Mei Yamaguchi of Japan on the undercard of ‘ONE: Immortal Pursuit’ on November 24 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

Yamaguchi was originally scheduled to fight ONE atomweight champion Angela Lee in a rematch, but the fight had to be called off after the reigning champion suffered a car accident weeks before the contest.

Iniong, who just fought and won by technical knockout this past Friday, didn’t think twice in replacing Lee as Yamaguchi’s opponent in ONE Championship’s next event.

They met inside the cage three years ago under a different promotion, and the Filipina striker aims to emerge victorious yet again in their upcoming rematch.

“Facing Mei Yamaguchi three years ago was like entering through an eye of a needle. That bout opened doors of great opportunity for me in this sport,” said Iniong. “I am expecting a tough duel with her again on 24 November in Singapore. There is something I want to achieve in ONE Championship, and I must win this match to have it.”

In a fight that could determine the next challenger for Lee’s atomweight world title, Yamaguchi says fireworks can be expected in their upcoming fight.

“I commend Gina Iniong for taking this match on a short notice. She is a good martial arts artist with a promising potential to be the best in what she does,” told Yamaguchi. “Gina is in good hands, training with no less than the best at Team Lakay. I have faced her before, and she is always in good condition. As always, I am in tiptop shape for every bout. Hence, brace yourselves for fireworks.” — LA, GMA News