TOKYO -- Mei Yamaguchi is five-foot-nothing and built like a bulldog, barely standing taller than the top rope in the gym in suburban Tokyo where she trains. Yamaguchi, a 36-year-old wrestler, boxer and martial artist, has been fighting for more than a decade, but for most of her career competed in small venues in front of crowds of family and friends, working part-time jobs so she could devote herself to training.
One Championship has punched above its weight, propelled by big backers and bold targets. Now, CEO Chatri Sityodtong faces the challenge shared by high-growth startups everywhere: bringing the unicorn to profit. (Photo by Masayori Ishikawa)
The Big Story
Billion dollar baby: The Asian MMA unicorn taking on the UFC
One Championship rides mobile internet wave to capture a Millennial audience
Read Next
Latest on The Big Story
