In a surprising turn of events, Angela Lee, one of ONE Championship’s most prominent stars, shockingly announced her retirement and relinquished her ONE women’s 115-pound MMA title during the broadcast of ONE Fight Night 14 in Singapore. This unexpected revelation had a significant impact on the main event, altering the course of the women’s 115-pound championship. Originally scheduled as an interim title fight between Stamp Fairtex and Seo Hee Ham, it transformed into a battle for the undisputed title, with Fairtex emerging victorious. The retirement of Lee marks the end of an era and leaves a void in ONE Championship’s women’s division.
Angela Lee’s decision to retire is rooted in a deeply tragic event that shook her world. Last September, her sister Victoria tragically lost her life to suicide. Victoria, who was just 18 years old, also competed as a fighter under the ONE Championship banner. The impact of this loss, coupled with her own experience of attempting suicide in 2017, led Lee to reflect on her priorities and reassess her future in the sport. In a candid interview with ESPN’s Daniel Cormier, Lee revealed, “I don’t have the heart to step in there again…if you follow your heart, it will always lead you in the right direction. And that’s why I know I’m making the right decision.”
Angela Lee’s retirement signifies the departure of the most decorated female fighter in ONE Championship’s history. Born in Canada and raised in Hawaii, Lee, of Singaporean Chinese and Korean heritage, captured the ONE women’s 115-pound title at the tender age of 19 in 2016. This extraordinary achievement established her as the youngest champion in the annals of major mixed martial arts. Lee successfully defended her title five times, with her most recent victory being a submission win over Stamp Fairtex in March 2022. Reflecting on her illustrious career, Lee expressed her pride and stated, “It’s been a really great career, so I can just look back on it and smile and just look forward to the future.”
While bidding farewell to MMA, Angela Lee embarks on a new chapter of her life dedicated to a noble cause. She will continue her work with FightStory, a non-profit organization she founded in honor of her late sister Victoria. The organization aims to provide a platform for individuals to share their personal stories about mental health. Lee’s commitment to raising awareness and supporting those struggling with mental health issues further solidifies her status as a true role model both inside and outside the cage.
As Angela Lee steps away from the sport that has defined her career, her younger brother, Christian Lee, looms large on the MMA scene. The 25-year-old is the reigning ONE lightweight and welterweight champion, and his exceptional skills have garnered recognition as one of the best young fighters in the world. It remains to be seen whether he will follow in his sister’s footsteps and contemplate his own future in the sport he and their entire family are deeply entrenched in. The Lee siblings leave an indelible mark on the world of MMA, united by their shared passion for combat sports.
Angela Lee’s retirement from MMA is a profound loss for ONE Championship and its fans. Her remarkable journey from a young champion to a leading figure in women’s MMA serves as an inspiration to fighters around the world. Though her departure may bring a sense of sadness, it also signifies the beginning of a new chapter in her life and the start of a meaningful mission. Angela Lee, forever etched in the annals of ONE Championship history, leaves behind a legacy that transcends wins and losses—a legacy that embraces resilience, compassion, and the pursuit of a better future for those facing mental health challenges.
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