ONE Championship boss Chatri in tears as Victoria Lee’s death casts sorrowful note over first event of 2023

CEO and chairman pays emotional tribute to the late 18-year-old MMA prodigy during Saturday’s broadcast in Bangkok

‘Victoria, I miss you dearly. I know you’re looking from above,’ he says – ‘Tonight, she was supposed to be fighting, that’s what makes it so heartbreaking’

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A screenshot from the ONE Fight Night 6 broadcast. a tribute to Victoria Lee is displayed on the production screens at Bangkok’s Impact Arena in Bangkok. Photo: ONE Championship

Published: 6:17pm, 15 Jan 2023Updated: 5:09pm, 18 Jan 2023

ONE Championship was back in action in Bangkok for its first event of 2023, but a sorrowful note was cast over Saturday morning’s proceedings following the death of Victoria Lee.

Three fights from the top of an action-packed card full of slick finishes and gruelling battles, an emotional tribute was paid to the rising 18-year-old MMA atomweight, who died on Boxing Day in her hometown in Hawaii. Her death was confirmed by her sister Angela Lee, ONE’s atomweight MMA champion, last weekend.

The lights were dimmed, with a tribute video played on the giant screens of the production set at the Impact Arena.

A graphic saying “In memory of Victoria Lee, 2004-2022” was then displayed, as ring announcer Dom Lau called on the crowd to stand for a minute’s silence, to remember Lee.

It was impeccably observed.

“From all of us at the ONE Championship family and the entire martial arts community around the world – we’ll miss you Victoria, may you rest in peace,” said Lau, his voice cracking with emotion.