Mixed Martial Arts rising star Victoria Lee died at age 18, her family and ONE Championship announced Saturday on social media.
MMA fighter Angela Lee shared in an Instagram post that her younger sister, Victoria, died last year on Dec. 26.
“She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then,” Angela Lee wrote. “We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same. Life will never be the same.”
Angela continued: “Victoria was the most beautiful soul who ever lived. She was the best little sister in the world. The best daughter, the best granddaughter and the best godma / aunty to Ava and Alia.”
While the cause of death was not disclosed, the Lee family asked for respect during this difficult time.
Singaporean combat sports promoter ONE Championship, which Lee had fought for, also confirmed the news of her death on Twitter.
“The ONE Championship team is devastated over the tragic passing of Victoria Lee. We send our most heartfelt condolences to her family and friends at this difficult time,” the company said.
ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong also paid tribute to Lee in a Facebook post.
“I am heartbroken by Victoria Lee’s passing. I first met Victoria when she was 11 years old. I watched her blossom over the years as a martial artist and a human being,” he wrote.
“I always remember thinking how wise, thoughtful, and selfless she was beyond her years. Of course, she was an extraordinary martial arts prodigy even back then, but I could see that she was so much more than that. Victoria had the purest heart of gold and a brilliant mind. She looked after others before herself. She wanted to use her life to help the world. I will always remember Victoria for the beautiful and precious soul that she was.”
The Hawaii native was signed with ONE Championship in 2020 at age 16 and made her professional debut in February 2021.
Nicknamed “The Prodigy,” Lee was undefeated with a 3–0 record from atomweight fights in 2021.
According to ONE, Lee had to pause her fighting career to focus on graduating from school in 2022.
Lee came from a family with a rich history in the sport. Her sister Angela is the atomweight champion, while her brother Christian is ONE’s middleweight and welterweight champion.
