Victoria Lee was a rising star in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), who had a bright future ahead of her. She was the youngest fighter in ONE Championship, the sister of two world champions, and a multiple-time champion herself in various disciplines. However, her life was cut short at the age of 18, when she took her own life on December 26, 2022. What led to this tragic decision? How did her family and the MMA community cope with her loss? This article will explore the life and death of Victoria Lee, based on the information available on Wikipedia and other sources.
Early Life and Career
Victoria Sun-hei Lee was born in Wahiawa, Hawaii, on May 17, 2004, the daughter of Korean-Canadian mother Jewelz Lee and Chinese-Singaporean father Ken Lee. She was the younger sister of fellow MMA fighters Angela Lee and Christian Lee, who both became ONE World Champions in their respective divisions. Victoria grew up in a martial arts family, training at United MMA Gym in Hawaii under her brother-in-law Bruno Pucci and being supported by Evolve MMA in Singapore. She started competing in pankration, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at a young age, winning several titles and medals in local and international tournaments.
On September 30, 2020, at the age of 16, Victoria signed a contract to fight in the atomweight division of ONE Championship, becoming its youngest fighter ever. She made her professional debut on February 26, 2021, at ONE Championship 129: Fists Of Fury, where she defeated Sunisa Srisan by rear-naked choke in the second round. She followed up with two more wins against Wang Luping and Victoria Souza, both by submission in the first round, showcasing her impressive grappling skills and earning the nickname “The Prodigy”. She was considered one of the most promising prospects in women’s MMA, with a record of 3-0.
Death and Aftermath
Victoria’s last fight was on September 24, 2021, when she beat Victoria Souza by ground and pound in the second round at ONE Championship 143: Revolution. She then decided to take a break from MMA to focus on graduating from high school. She was slated to return with a bout against Zeba Bano at ONE Fight Night 6 in Bangkok on January 14, 2023. However, she never made it to that date.
On December 26, 2022, Victoria passed away in Hawaii, but her death was not revealed until her older sister Angela announced it via Instagram on January 7, 2023. Angela did not disclose the cause of death at first, but later wrote an article for The Players’ Tribune, entitled “Resilient”, where she revealed that Victoria had taken her own life. Angela also shared that she herself had attempted suicide in 2017 after a car crash in Hawaii, and that she had struggled with depression and anxiety for years. She said that she and her family were devastated by Victoria’s death, and that they needed time to heal and grieve.
The MMA community was shocked and saddened by the news of Victoria’s death, and many fighters and fans expressed their condolences and support to the Lee family. ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong wrote a tribute to Victoria on Facebook, saying that she had “the purest heart of gold and a brilliant mind” and that he would always remember her for “the beautiful and precious soul that she was”. He also announced that ONE Championship would create a foundation in Victoria’s name to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention among young athletes.
Legacy
Victoria Lee left behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration in MMA. She was a pioneer for young female fighters who wanted to pursue their dreams in the sport. She was a role model for many people who admired her talent, dedication, and humility. She was a beloved daughter, sister, friend, and teammate who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She will be remembered as one of the best fighters of her generation, who had so much potential to achieve greatness.
Victoria Lee’s cause of death is a tragic reminder that mental health is a serious issue that affects many people around the world. It is important to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or depression. You are not alone. There is hope. There is help. There is healing.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
