MMA Star Angela Lee Hangs up Gloves, Leaves Legacy in ONE Championship

MMA Star Angela Lee Hangs up Gloves: Angela Lee, a ONE Championship icon, has announced her retirement. Lee returned to the promotion at Friday’s ONE Fight Night 14 event in Singapore, but not for a bout. Lee made an emotional trek to the cage, where she surrendered her championship title and announced to the world that she is retiring from fighting.

MMA Star Angela Lee Hangs up Gloves, Leaves Legacy in ONE Championship

The announcement was made days after Lee disclosed her ongoing mental health struggles (including a suicide attempt in 2017) prior to and following the suicide of her 18-year-old sister Victoria in December 2022.

“I’m here today to officially announce my retirement,” Lee said. “It’s been an extraordinary eight years. I would like to express my gratitude to the supporters, ONE Championship, Chatri (Sityodtong), my squads, and everyone else. So many fights have occurred inside and outside of the cage.”

“This is the last thing I’d like to say to the combatants and everyone viewing right now. The greatest battle we will ever face will not be against a physical opponent. The greatest conflict will be internal. Everyone struggles, but everyone fights. We are victorious every day when we choose to rise above adversity. Therefore, thank you so much. I admire you. Thank you very much.”

Lee, 27, entered ONE Championship for her pro début in 2015 – at age 18. She emerged rapidly as a potential prodigy. A perfect 8-0 record to begin her professional tenure positioned Lee for a shot at the title, which she won in May 2018 by unanimous decision against then-champion Mei Yamaguchi.

Despite losing her first defense attempt to Jingnag Xiong and her next match to Michelle Nicolini, Lee rebounded by avenging her loss to Xiong and then defeating Stamp Fairtex.

Lee last competed in September 2022, when she was defeated by Xiong in a riveting unanimous decision rubber match. The trilogy was filled with action, and many spectators have cited it as containing some of the most exciting bouts in the history of the promotion.

Since Lee vacated her 115-pound title, the main event between Stamp Fairtex and Seo Hee Ham at Friday’s ONE Fight Night 114 was elevated from an interim to an undisputed championship bout.

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