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https://scmp.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/article/3003940/one-championship-unstoppable-angela-lee-came-back-brink
Sport/ Mixed Martial Arts

One Championship: ‘Unstoppable’ Angela Lee came back from the brink but says ‘it wasn’t easy’

  • The 22-year-old opens up on how her patience and resolve were put to the test during a ‘really tough’ 18 months
  • Lee returns to the One Championship cage to face her biggest test, looking to solidify her crown as the queen of Asian MMA
Angela Lee makes her return to the cage after 10 months out. Photo: One Championship

Angela Lee carries the fight name “Unstoppable” with her into the cage but it has seemed over the past 18 months that the fates have conspired to make a lie of that particular moniker.

From a car accident back home in Hawaii that could have ended up being so much worse, to a back injury that robbed Lee of a marquee match-up with the One Championship’s Chinese world strawweight champion Xiong “Panda” Jingnan. The 22-year-old Lee’s patience – and resolve – has been put to the test.

“It’s been a journey, I’m not going to lie and say it was easy,” she says. “Most of the adversities I’ve encountered were outside the cage. It was really tough to get through those moments but everything happens for a reason. It’s led me to where I am, here today, and I’m happy and I’m grateful.”

Now comes the moment of truth and now comes Tokyo. Lee (9-0) and Xiong (13-1) will finally meet as a co-headline bout at the “One: A New Era” card on Sunday at the historic Ryogoku Kokugikan with the Chinese’ fighter’s title on the line and history there for Lee’s taking, should she claim victory.

Lee would then become the first female fighter to hold two of One’s crowns and, more’s the point, she would reaffirm the commonly held perception that she’s the hottest property in Asian MMA.

But the firebrand that is the 31-year-old Xiong is poised to give the young star her most searching examination yet, given the Chinese fighter’s punching power and the sheer delight she seems to take in mixing it up with her opponents.

Not that Lee seems too concerned.

Xiong Jingnan faces off with Angela Lee at the One: A New Era press conference. Photo: One Championship
Xiong Jingnan faces off with Angela Lee at the One: A New Era press conference. Photo: One Championship

“I’m naturally more of a striker anyways so I think that our styles match,” says Lee. “I’m going to see the openings, take her down and finish her on the ground.”

One’s 16-bout card comes with four title fights in total, as well as the debuts of former UFC champs Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez. Yet, still, that the Lee-Xiong clash is creating the biggest buzz in the Japanese capital speaks volumes for the charisma both these fighters carry around.

“You know we were ready for this fight in November,” says Lee. “The extra time has just made me more anxious. It’s given me this fire. I’m excited by this fight like I was excited for my debut.”

Angela Lee grapples with Mei Yamaguchi. She has not fought since beating her in May 2018. Photo: Championship
Angela Lee grapples with Mei Yamaguchi. She has not fought since beating her in May 2018. Photo: Championship

In the three years since she claimed One’s atomweight title in a battle royale against the Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi (18-11-1), Lee has grown in stature, and certainly in size, now looking far more comfortable at strawweight given the natural growth she must have gone through from the ages 19 to 22.

“I would not be able to eating like this if I was still at atomweight,” laughs Lee, backstage over a plate of sushi after One’s opening press conference.

“My back is good. It’s not 100 per cent. It’s not back to normal but it’s not really giving me any problems right now so it’s not going to be an issue on fight night.”

Angela Lee celebrates after beating Istela Nunes at Singapore Indoor Stadium in May 2017. Photo: Xinhua
Angela Lee celebrates after beating Istela Nunes at Singapore Indoor Stadium in May 2017. Photo: Xinhua

Her training camp back home in Hawaii has worked a treat as she’s continued to come under the gaze of father and coach Ken, and has her brother, training partner and One lightweight prospect Christian pushing her all the way.

“Relocating to be with my family, it’s really made a big difference, affecting where my head’s at, where my heart’s at,” says Lee. “I think it is so important for athletes to stay grounded, to have something to come back to. It’s easy to get caught up in all these lights and cameras. It’s almost like I’m living a double life sometimes so I am grateful to have that getaway back home to Hawaii.”

There’s also the matter of husband (and fellow One fighter) Bruno Pucci, unable to make the trip to Tokyo because of visa problems but back home caring for the couple’s dogs. They were married last July and have a connection, viewed via the prism of social media, that would melt the most hardened of hearts.

One Championship is set to deliver its biggest event on Sunday. Photo: One Championship
One Championship is set to deliver its biggest event on Sunday. Photo: One Championship

“I’m a bit sad,” Lee says. “It’s the only fight he’s missed since we’ve been together so it’s going to be tough not walking out there with him. But I know that he’s supporting me back home. He’s been amazing for me through this fight camp.”

What the truncations to her career’s natural progression have enforced – like them or not – are searches into the soul of a fighter, and to why she does what she does for a living.

Lee has stepped back and she has gone over the tapes to chart her personal growth.

“Leaps and bounds,” is how she describes the move forward in her career and her life. “Leading up to this fight I’ve actually watched my previous fight and it’s eye opening. You train hard in the gym every day without thinking about it [but] you make so much progress. I’m really going to show that progress in this fight.”