Victoria Lee’s death was a big blow to the MMA community.
The Saturday announcement of her tragic Dec. 26 death at 18 stunned the MMA community, including ONE Championship, the promotion in which she fought for. ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong took to Facebook on Saturday to address the death of Lee and pay his respects to her and her family.
“I am heartbroken by Victoria Lee’s passing,” Sityodtong posted on Facebook. “I first met Victoria when she was 11 years old. I watched her blossom over the years as a martial artist and a human being. I always remember thinking how wise, thoughtful, and selfless she was beyond her years. Of course, she was an extraordinary martial arts prodigy even back then, but I could see that she was so much more than that.
“Victoria had the purest heart of gold and a brilliant mind. She looked after others before herself. She wanted to use her life to help the world. I will always remember Victoria for the beautiful and precious soul that she was. May you rest in peace, Victoria.
“We will all miss you. I send my love, prayers, strength, and light to Ken, Jewelz, Angela, Christian, Adrian, and all of their loved ones. I am so truly heartbroken for your loss. May God bless you.”
Lee’s death was announced by her sister, ONE Championship champion Angela Lee. Her brother Christian is a two-division ONE titleholder. A cause of death was not revealed.
Lee was scheduled to compete in her fourth MMA bout Saturday at ONE on Prime Video 6. Lee had a 3-0 record in MMA. She debuted in February 2021 with a rear-naked choke submission of Sunisa Srisen. After a first-round armbar win over Luping Wang in July 2021, Lee picked up her first TKO against previously undefeated Victoria Souza in September 2021.
Prior to her pro MMA debut, Lee impressed at the junior level across multiple combat sports. She was two-time Hawaiian pankration junior world champion, a Hawaii state wrestling champion and an IMMAF junior world champion.
According to an obituary posted on Valley of the Temples Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Kanahe, Hawaii, a celebration of life has been scheduled for Jan. 22 before her burial.
