ANGELA Lee hopes to cement her claim as the face of women’s MMA in Asia when she defends her crown against unbeaten Jenny Huang at ONE: Warrior Kingdom March 11 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lee spent the past two years building her reputation in the mixed martial arts world becoming the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion.
Ten months removed from that win, it is time for her to defend the belt as the unbeaten Lee makes her first title defense against the dangerous Huang. It will serve as the headlining bout of ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM, and Lee wants to have a dominant performance.
After defeating Mei Yamaguchi at ONE: Ascent to Power last May, Lee took a break from competition. She remained active by training at Evolve MMA in Singapore to better her game.
“I have been improving everywhere. It has really been a good period of upgrading my skills and gaining that confidence in the areas of striking, grappling, and the transitions in-between. So I am extremely excited to get back in that cage. I cannot wait,” said Lee.
She confessed that she faces a different kind of challenge now that she is no longer chasing a crown. But she cannot afford to relax either with the belt now around her waist.
“I have a target on my back now that I have the belt, and everyone is gunning specifically for me. I think knowing that is going to keep me even more focused, and motivated to train that much harder,” said Lee.
Being the champion Lee’s fights are virtually under the microscope. She will have no secrets when she faces her challengers. But she still hopes to come up with a few surprises come fight night.
“I think the most important thing for a fighter and a champion is to keep growing and evolving, and you have to be honest with yourself. You have to continue growing as a martial artist because the moment you stop, that is going to be your downfall. I am still young, and I am so eager to learn and improve in all areas. I plan on being the champ for a while,” said Lee.
Martial arts has been central to Lee’s life. After all, she comes from a family of martial artists. She says martial arts has enriched her life.
“It has definitely made me the person I am today, no doubt about that. Being raised in a martial arts family—both my parents are martial art instructors—has definitely taught me fundamental values like discipline and respect, but also things like being honest with myself,” said Lee.
“As a person and as a martial artist, whenever you are honest with yourself and critique yourself on what you did right or wrong, it helps you to grow that much quicker.”
The MMA landscape is much different from many years ago with women fighters emerging into the spotlight and holding their own in as far as drawing fans and public attention. ONE: Warrior Kingdom features two women fighting in the main event.
“This is only the second time ONE Championship is going to have a female fight headline a card, and it is truly an honor for me. Every time I step into that cage, I feel I am fighting for so much more. I am fighting not just for myself, but for my family, my fans, and for women across the world,” Lee said.
“This fight is important because it is just another huge step in the direction women’s MMA is going here in Asia. It is great because it shows women here on this side of the world that they can do what they love, they can chase their dreams, and they can have a legitimately successful career in MMA if they want to.”