Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Filipino fighter Gina Iniong has been tapped as substitute opponent for Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi in the ONE: Immortal Pursuit card set on Nov. 24 at Singapore Indoor Stadium, just two weeks after her last bout.
Iniong was announced as a late replacement for Angela Lee, who had to withdraw from her scheduled title defense after figuring in a car crash in Hawaii last week.
READ: MMA star Angela Lee survives car crash, out of ONE Singapore card
Iniong and Yamaguchi are familiar with each other having fought three years ago in the Pacific Xtreme Combat and both are expecting a stiff challenge.
“Facing Mei Yamaguchi three years ago was like going through the eye of a needle. That bout opened doors of great opportunity for me in this sport,” said Iniong, who is coming off a second-round victory over Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol last Friday in ONE: Legends of World at Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: Iniong wins debut in ONE undercard
“I am expecting a tough duel with her again on 24 November in Singapore. I have lofty goals in ONE Championship, and I must win this match to achieve them.”
The 34-year-old Yamaguchi praised Iniong for agreeing to the fight despite having only little time to prepare.
“I commend Gina Iniong for taking this match on a short notice. She is a good martial arts artist with promising potential in the division,” said Yamaguchi, who stopped Jennu Huang last June.
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“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. Brace yourselves for fireworks.”