Angela Lee Takes Atomweight Title in FOTY Contender at One Championship 42

Angela Lee was indeed unstoppable.

Lee endured through a spirited challenge from Mei Yamaguchi to claim the vacant women’s atomweight crown in the One Championship 42 “Ascent to Power” headliner on Friday at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang Singapore. The unbeaten Lee (6-0) was awarded a unanimous decision after five rounds, as she emerged victorious in a clear contender for “Fight of the Year.”

The five-round encounter was filled with elaborate scrambles, exquisite transitions, crisp standup exchanges and repeated submission attempts on both sides. Yamaguchi (15-9-1) made the 19-year-old work for the full 25 minutes, flooring her with an overhand right at the start of the remarkable third round before nearly submitting her twice with armbars. The Evolve MMA prospect cleared the hurdle and, with the outcome still very much in doubt, found another gear in rounds four and five.

Lee emptied her tool chest in a bid to stop Yamaguchi inside the distance: She attempted everything from an armbar, guillotine and brabo choke to an ankle lock, arm-triangle and triangle choke. Her efforts failed, leaving her to settle for the decision. Yamaguchi still has never been finished in her 25-fight career.

In the co-main event, Roger Gracie captured the vacant One Championship light heavyweight title, as he choked the previously undefeated Michal Pasternak unconscious with a first-round arm-triangle. Pasternak (11-1) went limp 2:13 into round one.

Gracie (8-2) drew the overzealous Pole into the clinch, tripped him to the floor and executed a smooth guard pass to full mount. Pasternak briefly exposed his back, found himself ensnared in the arm-triangle and lost consciousness soon after.

A 10-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, the 34-year-old Gracie has won four of his last five bouts.

Meanwhile, former One Championship titleholder Narantungalag Jadambaa submitted Kotetsu Boku with a shoulder choke in the third round of their featherweight showcase. Jadambaa (11-4) brought it to a close 1:27 into round three.

The defeat snapped a three-fight winning streak for Boku (24-11-2).

In other action, Christian Lee (4-0) submitted Cary Bullos (7-4) with a brabo choke 2:07 into the first round of their featherweight affair; Tatsuya Mizuno (15-11-1) wiped out Mohamed Ali (10-9) with knees 3:52 into the second round of their meeting at 185 pounds; Amir Khan (5-2) put away John Chang (4-4-1) with punches and elbows 3:39 into round one of their lightweight confrontation; Benedict Ang (3-0) struck Jimmy Yabo (5-3) into submission 3:11 into the third round of their battle at 145 pounds; Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev (3-0) disposed of Jia Wen Ma (2-2) with punches 1:57 into round one of their lightweight tilt; and Agilan Thani (5-0) took out Brad Robinson (3-2) with punches 4:40 into the first round of their catchweight clash at 195 pounds.