MMA fighter Christian Lee ready for first bout since sister Victoria’s death

SINGAPORE – For seven years, the One Championship ring was Christian Lee’s “home”.

It was where the mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter racked up a record 17 wins in 21 bouts under the Singapore flag, following his 2015 debut as a teenager.

But, since stunning Kiamrian Abbasov of Kyrgyzstan to claim the One welterweight world title and becoming a two-division king in November 2022, he has not returned “home”.

After

his younger sister Victoria took her own life at the age of 18

in December 2022, Christian went on a self-imposed hiatus as he took time off to heal.

Almost two years on, the 26-year-old, nicknamed “The Warrior”, announced on July 13 that he would return and continue his family’s legacy in the sport.

At the One 169: Atlanta event in the United States on Nov 8, he will defend his One lightweight world title against the undefeated Turkish sensation Alibeg Rasulov, 31, at the State Farm Arena.

Speaking to The Straits Times for the first time since Victoria’s death, Christian admitted that he had considered quitting competitive fighting.

His older sister Angela had

ended an eight-year career in September 2023,

announcing her retirement in a teary farewell at the One Fight Night 14 event in front of a near-capacity Singapore Indoor Stadium crowd. Angela, 28, is now running non-profit charity Fightstory, which helps fighters deal with mental health issues.

Christian, who also admitted feeling nervous about his return, said: “Yes, the thought (of quitting) did go through my mind, of whether I wanted to continue fighting or not. But at the end of the day, I chose a career path of being a professional MMA fighter.

“And so, after I took some time off, I was ready to go back to work – and work for me is stepping into the circle and competing.

“I know the divisions have been waiting (for me) and I’m excited to go back in there, get back to work and defend my lightweight belt and then move on to defending my welterweight belt as well.”

For many in the MMA fraternity here, the Lee siblings, born to Singaporean father Ken Lee and South Korean mother Jewelz Lee, are synonymous with the sport.

Angela and Christian were born in Canada, while Victoria and Adrian, 18, who made a successful One debut in Bangkok on June 8, were born in Hawaii. But all four have fought under the Singapore flag.

Christian still resides in Hawaii, where he has set up Prodigy Training Centre in honour of Victoria, known by fight fans as “The Prodigy”. It replaced United MMA Hawaii gym, which was owned and operated by the Lee family and where the siblings learnt the ropes from their father.

Christian, who owns the establishment with his wife, coaches six days a week at the facility, which is frequented by both professionals and recreational fighters.

He has also started a non-profit organisation called Prodigy Community Centre which provides free MMA lessons to underprivileged youths. It aims to give back to the community, something that Victoria was very passionate about.

He added: “Naming the gym in honour of my sister and doing community outreach projects is something I could do to continue paying it forward.”

While he may have healed enough to return to the ring, not a single day goes by without thinking of Victoria.

“My sister and I were very close,” Christian said. “We’ve always been close. And she was definitely the best sister I could ask for.

“We had a good relationship inside and outside of the gym. We were always spending time together. So it’s been very hard but I choose to just keep looking forward and taking it one day at a time.

“I am just grateful for all the time that I’ve spent with her. And, I still think of her every day.”