ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently discussed the future of atomweight champion Angela Lee, indicating that she may not return to the sport of MMA. During a Facebook Live session, Sityodtong revealed that Lee is strongly considering retirement following the tragic passing of her sister, Victoria Lee, who was also a competitor in ONE Championship. Victoria Lee tragically died at the age of 18 in December of last year.
Sityodtong stated, “Angela Lee is likely not coming back due to the loss of her sister.” In a separate message to the South China Morning Post, he mentioned that Angela Lee has not yet made a final decision. However, in her absence, the promotion plans to crown an interim atomweight champion. The promotion is working towards a matchup between Stamp Fairtex and UFC veteran Seo Hee Ham, with the interim title on the line.
Sityodtong also confirmed that Victoria’s older brother, Christian Lee, who currently holds both the lightweight and welterweight titles in ONE, will take the rest of 2023 off but intends to return in 2024. During Christian Lee’s absence, interim champions will likely be crowned in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions until his return.
Sityodtong stated, “Angela is still undecided on her return, but could likely retire. Stamp [Fairtex] versus [Seo Hee] Ham is interim [for the atomweight division]. I spoke to Christian; he wants to fight 100 percent but he will take the rest of the year off. He will return next year. We will do interim title fights in both divisions this year to keep everything moving.”
Since the loss of their sister six months ago, neither Angela nor Christian Lee have directly addressed their plans to compete again.
Although Sityodtong did not make any official announcements regarding the interim lightweight or welterweight title contenders, it appears that both fights are being planned for later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about tragic death of her sister
Q: What is the reason behind Angela Lee considering retirement from MMA?
A: Angela Lee is contemplating retirement due to the tragic death of her sister, Victoria Lee, who was also a competitor in ONE Championship. The loss has deeply impacted Angela, and she is currently leaning towards stepping away from the sport to focus on healing and her personal well-being.
Q: Will ONE Championship crown an interim atomweight champion in Angela Lee’s absence?
A: Yes, ONE Championship plans to crown an interim atomweight champion while Angela Lee decides on her future. They are working towards a matchup between Stamp Fairtex and UFC veteran Seo Hee Ham, with the interim title up for grabs.
Q: What about Christian Lee, Angela’s older brother and current champion in ONE Championship?
A: Christian Lee has decided to take the rest of 2023 off from fighting but intends to make a comeback in 2024. In the meantime, ONE Championship will likely have interim title fights in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions until Christian Lee returns to action.
Q: Have Angela or Christian Lee made any statements regarding their plans after the loss of their sister?
A: No, neither Angela nor Christian Lee have directly addressed their intentions to compete again since the passing of Victoria Lee six months ago. They are taking time to process their grief and have not made any public statements regarding their future in MMA.
More about tragic death of her sister
- ONE Championship Official Website – Official website of ONE Championship, the organization mentioned in the text.
- Angela Lee’s Profile on ONE Championship – Angela Lee’s official profile on the ONE Championship website.
- Victoria Lee’s Profile on ONE Championship – Victoria Lee’s official profile on the ONE Championship website.
- South China Morning Post – The South China Morning Post, the source mentioned in the text.
- Stamp Fairtex’s Profile on ONE Championship – Stamp Fairtex’s official profile on the ONE Championship website.
- Seo Hee Ham’s Profile on UFC – Seo Hee Ham’s official profile on the UFC website.
