There’s a chance that ONE atomweight champion Angela Lee will not return for another fight. ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong shares insights on Angela Lee’s future.

The Tragic Loss

The untimely death of Angela Lee’s sister, Victoria Lee, impacts her decision.

Manila, June 10, 2023 – ONE Championship’s women’s division faces a potential turning point as the promotion’s women’s atomweight champion, Angela Lee, contemplates the end of her MMA career. In a recent Facebook Live Q&A session, ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong hinted that the 26-year-old fighter may have fought her last bout and could retire from the sport.

During the session, Sityodtong addressed Angela Lee’s future, shedding light on the profound impact of the tragic loss of her sister, Victoria Lee. Victoria, who also competed in ONE Championship, tragically passed away at just 18 years of age this past December.

“Angela Lee is likely not coming back due to the loss of her sister,” Sityodtong revealed during the emotional Facebook Live session.

In a separate interview with the South China Morning Post, Sityodtong expressed that Angela Lee hasn’t made a final decision, but the promotion is prepared to crown an interim atomweight champion in her absence. To this end, ONE Championship is working towards arranging a highly anticipated matchup between Stamp Fairtex, the number one ranked atomweight, and UFC veteran Seo Hee Ham, who holds the second rank. This fight would determine the interim atomweight champion.

Sityodtong further confirmed that Angela’s older brother, Christian Lee, who currently holds the lightweight and welterweight titles in ONE, will take a break for the remainder of 2023. However, he intends to make a comeback in 2024.

With Angela Lee’s uncertain return, ONE Championship is likely to crown interim champions in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions to maintain the division’s momentum until Lee’s potential return to action.

“Angela is still undecided on her return, but could likely retire,” stated Sityodtong. “Stamp [Fairtex] versus [Seo Hee] Ham is interim [for the atomweight division].”

Despite the passing of their sister six months ago, neither Angela nor Christian Lee have directly addressed their plans to compete again.

While Sityodtong did not make any official announcements regarding the contenders for the interim lightweight or welterweight titles, it appears that both fights are in the works and scheduled for later this year.

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