Angela Lee’s Top 5 Favorite Moments In ONE Championship

“Unstoppable” Angela Lee has literally grown up in ONE Championship.

The Singaporean made her debut in the world’s largest martial arts organization in May 2015 when she was fresh out of high school. One year later, she captured the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship.

Now, the 22-year-old is one of the most popular athletes in the promotion, and she will compete for her second belt on Friday, 9 November. She is set to challenge ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan for her title at ONE: HEART OF THE LION.

Before she attempts to make history in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Lee counts her top five favorite moments in The Home Of Martial Arts.

#1 A Great First Impression

In May 2015, Lee – then just a teenager – kicked off her career against Aya Saber at ONE: WARRIOR’S QUEST in Singapore.

“I made my professional mixed martial arts debut in ONE Championship. That was a pretty big moment for me,” she says.

“I was pretty young, just out of high school. I had three amateur fights already, and then, boom, I got thrown on that big stage.”

Just days before the contest, the multi-time Pankration World Champion was nervous and scared. However, once she entered the cage, those butterflies went away.

Lee needed just a minute and 43 seconds to submit Saber via armbar. That victory proved to be the starting point to a flawless career thus far.

“I was smiling from ear to ear,” she continues. “I remember people asking me afterwards, ‘You were smiling so big, is something wrong with you?’

“I was just enjoying it – taking it all in. There was such good energy that night. It was awesome.”

#2 Becoming An Internet Sensation

Lee was very busy in her first year as a professional, as she joined the Evolve Fight Team following her debut, and earned her second win that September.

However, she closed out 2015 with a moment that put her on the map with fans all around the globe.

Taking on Natalie Gonzales Hill at ONE: PRIDE OF LIONS in Singapore, “Unstoppable” was able to showcase her world-class grappling skills with a submission rarely seen in the sport.

At just over two minutes into the opening round, Lee caught her opponent in a twister, which forced a tap within seconds of its application. The video of her finish spread around the martial arts community online like wildfire. 

“That was a really fun night,” Lee begins.

“During that whole camp actually, we were drilling twisters, and in the warm-up room in the back [of the venue], I was putting twisters on my brother and putting twisters on my mom. In every position, I was hitting it.

“To go out there in the fight and then execute it, it really just showed me it’s all in the drilling. It comes out so naturally in the fight, and it went viral, so that was kind of cool.”

#3 Right By Her Brother’s Side

Seven months after she made her debut, her younger brother Christian “The Warrior” Lee followed her into the ONE cage at the age of 17.

He kicked off his professional career with a 29-second TKO of David Meak at ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS.

Since then, he has racked up an impressive 9-3 record with eight finishes – the most in ONE featherweight history. Every time “The Warrior” has made the walk to the cage, his older sister has been by his side and in his corner.

“Up to this point, I’ve been at every single one of Christian’s fights, and that’s something I’m proud to say,” Lee states.

“My brother was the youngest professional fighter in the whole organization. Usually, you have to be 18 [years old], and they made an exception for him, so I made sure to be there for every one of his fights.

“To be there for support, to be there for words of encouragement – that’s something I’m proud of.

“I know it’s going to be harder and harder to do in the future with obligations, or somebody may not be able to travel, but I’m just happy that at the beginning of his career, I was able to be at so many of his fights.”

#4 One Night In Thailand

Lee has been fortunate to visit several countries in her duties as the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion, but one particular destination stood out to her.

In March 2017, she traveled to Thailand to defend her belt against Jenny Huang at ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM.

The Singaporean defeated “Lady GoGo” via TKO in the third round, but she looks back fondly on that experience because of the country’s warm people and spirited culture.

“I always love traveling to new countries when I fight. It’s awesome to engage with the fans of that country, and one of my favorite places to fight in the world is Thailand,” Lee explains.

“When I fought in Bangkok, Thailand for my first title defense, I just felt so much good energy. The people there were just so amazing and nice, and it doesn’t hurt that the food was so amazing.

“Just fighting in front of all those new fans was a really nice feeling. I feel like they really embraced me, so that was a good night.”

#5 A Family Affair

Family is important to Lee, and that’s why she has been so proud to compete alongside her brother Christian so many times during their careers.

However, nothing stood out more than the night they were both part of World Title matches at ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS in May.

Lee defeated Mei Yamaguchi in a five-round classic, but Christian was unable to wrestle the ONE Featherweight World Championship away from Martin Nguyen.

Although both siblings did not reign victorious in Singapore, Lee can’t help but to single out that night as one she will never forget.

“I’d have to say the most memorable moment was when my brother and I fought in the main event and co-main event in Singapore,” she says.

“It was the first time that any brother and sister got to headline and co-headline a fight card. That was really cool.

“Of course, we were hoping that Christian could come away with his World Title as well, and we’d be the first brother-sister World Champions, but all in due time. I think that night was historic. My entire family was there, and a bunch of close friends were there to support us.”