News Angela Lee “Likely Not Coming Back” To Fighting

[DoubleA012]

Stamp Fairtex will fight Seo Hee Ham for the vacant Atom Weight title after Angela Lee seemingly retires due to the grief of losing her 18 year old sister this last Christmas.

Full Story: https://cagesidepress.com/2023/06/0...-seo-hee-ham-one-atomweight-title-angela-lee/

The loss of Victoria Lee just one day after Christmas 2022 had a profound effect on many in the MMA sphere, most of all her family.

Author(s): Cageside Staff

Lee, just 18, was an undefeated ONE Championship star and younger sister of ONE champs Angela (atomweight) and Christian (lightweight and welterweight) Lee.

Neither Lee sibling has competed since the death of Victoria late last year, for obvious reasons. Now, it appears Angela may not return to the cage at all.

In a recent Facebook Watch Q&A (via Beyond Fighting), ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong stated that while Christian Lee has indicated he will return, Angela is unlikely to fight again.

“Angela Lee is likely not coming back due to the loss of her sister. Christian Lee told me that he wants to come back.”

As a result, the atomweight title will be on the line when Stamp Fairtex faces Seo Hee Ham this August. “Stamp and Seo Hee Ham will fight in August for the ONE Atomweight Championship,” Sityodtong said in the same Facebook Watch session.

Stamp earned the fight with Seo Hee Ham at ONE Fight Night 10 in Colorado last month, defeating Alyse Anderson with a nasty body kick KO. A 2021 women’s atomweight grand prix champion, the Thai star, who has held ONE Championship gold in both Muay Thai and kickboxing, previously made an unsuccessful bid for ONE’s atomweight crown in MMA.

Originally, the fight with Ham was expected to be for an interim title. With the questions surrounding Angela Lee’s future, however, it appears the undisputed championship will be on the line.

ONE Championship has yet to officially announce the news.

Back in Colorado, Stamp told media outlets including Cageside Press that Seo Hee Ham was not her toughest foe to date. “Angela Lee is much tougher. The toughest opponent I’ve ever faced was Angela.”

Angela Lee, 26, last fought in October 2022, losing a shot at a second title when she dropped the third fight of her trilogy against Xiong Jing Nan. With a career record of 11-3, the Canadian-born Lee is undefeated as an atomweight.

 

[David Street]

I liked Angela Lee her BJJ was very good and her boxing was getting better she would have done well in UFC though never considered her a top 10 Straw-weight, I had hoped she would keep improving.

 

[ChimRichalds]

Well that's sad. That entire situation is sad as hell, honestly.

 

[Gio]

Sad sad news. I feel sorry for Angela. The loss of Victoria was truly devastating. It hit me hard too that time I heard the news.

 

[StonedLemur]

Well that's sad. That entire situation is sad as hell, honestly.

Yeah you can understand why she doesn't want to fight again.
She was really hit hard by her sisters death.

R.I.P Victoria...way too young

 

[Thesnake101]

It's very understandable, hope she does well in whatever she decides to pursue next.

 

[PurpleStorm]

Rest in peace Victoria.

 

[Blastbeat]

well shit, thats depressing. maybe in a few years Angela will get the urge to compete again but for now she probably feels its best to take some time away. cant imagine what its like losing a sibling that young and especially one youre that close to.

 

[Go Go Plata]

It always sucks to lose good talent, hope she finds peace

 

[Bobby Boulders]

She'll probably be back. Time heals.

 

[Black0ut]

Whatever helps the family coup with the terrible tragedy that’s happened.

nothing but hespect.

 

[skylolow]

She'll be back.

Just makes me wonder if there is any rift between her and ONE. We all know Chatri likes to get the story out first so he can spin it as he see fit for ONE.

 

[DoubleA012]

well shit, thats depressing. maybe in a few years Angela will get the urge to compete again but for now she probably feels its best to take some time away. cant imagine what its like losing a sibling that young and especially one youre that close to.

She'll probably be back. Time heals.

She's only 26, so time is on her side if she wants to make a return down the road.

She'll be back.

Just makes me wonder if there is any rift between her and ONE. We all know Chatri likes to get the story out first so he can spin it as he see fit for ONE.

This is just my opinion, but I don't think there is a rift there. This stemmed from a longer interview Chatri did where he was just talking openly about when we might see the Lee's return. He said what was mentioned in the article above, which is basically that Christian wants to come back but he told Chatri he doesn't think Angela will fight again. She's only 26 so she could be back in the future if she feels like it, but for now best wishes for her.

 

[CC27]

I personally dont understand packing it in and not doing something you loved/good at because of it but thats me but good luck to her and hope she finds peace in life.

 

[sonhow]

Horrible situation. Wish her and the Lee family strength during these times

 

[David Street]

Angela no doubt put pressure on her little sis. but Chatri sold her as a young prodigy building her way up. So yeah I believe some tension exists between the two.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

I personally dont understand packing it in and not doing something you loved/good at because of it but thats me but good luck to her and hope she finds peace in life.

Fighting is a mentally taxing thing. Also, her sister killed herself when pursuing the same career and they likely trained together - I'm sure there are painful memories whenever she walks into the gym that they owned.

Not to mention maybe there is a chance that Victoria's condition was related to stress from MMA or the family business etc (I have no idea if it is, just if that happened that would be a good reason for stepping away from the sport).

 

[CC27]

Fighting is a mentally taxing thing. Also, her sister killed herself when pursuing the same career and they likely trained together - I'm sure there are painful memories whenever she walks into the gym that they owned.

Not to mention maybe there is a chance that Victoria's condition was related to stress from MMA or the family business etc (I have no idea if it is, just if that happened that would be a good reason for stepping away from the sport).

Thats a fair point. also I guess maybe her heart isnt in it to begin with, she did miss time to have a baby. Maybe this was coming all along and this happening just sealed it for her.