Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi is Back on the Big Stage, Eyeing Gold
On Friday, 18 May, the 17‑year‑old Korean‑Japanese star Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi will return to the cage in Singapore, chanting “Unstoppable” for this once‑again face‑off. She faces former foe Angela Lee for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship at ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS.
A Tale of Two Bouts
- First meeting: May 2016 – a Fight of the Year buzzer‑beater; Lee wins the inaugural title by decision.
- Now: two years later, and Yamaguchi’s come back has a new vibe – more polished, more confident.
Yamaguchi’s Confidence – A New Fighter
She’s told the crowd she’s transformed dramatically:
- Ground Game: “I’ve tightened my grappling; I’m no longer nervous about any position.”
- Boxing: “I’ve refined my strikes, and I’m confident on the feet.”
- Coaches: “I always had good coaches, but now I feel nothing’s rattling me.”
Her recent record: a submission of Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang in June and a three‑round dominance over Gina “Conviction” Iniong in November. No doubt she’s ready for battle.
Going to Singapore – Home Turf, Not a Problem
She knows local crowds love their own. “If the crowd backs the opposition, I just shut it out and focus on my game.” The arena isn’t going to eat her out of her mind.
Dreaming of a Japanese Show
Yamaguchi wants to bring ONE Championship to Japan, where the sport is climbing in popularity.
- AbemaTV (a Japanese streaming app) now carries ONE matches, pulling in huge viewership.
- She’s optimistic that a Japanese card will ignite the fighting community.
From Struggles to Triumph
When women fighters first had a chance in Japan, it was a rough road. Yamaguchi says:
“When MMA made a splash in Japan, there were no women’s bouts. I kept training, hoping that someday the world would embrace a female‑focused sport. It’s finally happening, and I’m here to prove that perseverance pays off.”
Next Step – Second Shot at the Title
If she lands the belt, her dream will take a new form: a title defense on Japanese soil. She believes “the fans would love to see me defend my crown right at home.”
