The world is shocked after the unexpected death of 18 year old Victoria Lee. She was said to have died on December 26, 2022, however no cause was given as to how she passed. Leen had been known as a prodigy in the MMA world by her sister as well as millions of others. She is being recognized by her family and by MMA fans around the world as one of a kind.
Lee’s career was impressive from a young age. She was recognized as not only a two-time Hawaiian Pankration Junior World Champion, but also as a Hawaii State Wrestling Champion, and a IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Foundation) Junior World Champion. On September 30th 2020, at the age of 16, Lee signed a contract to fight in the Atomic Weight division of the ONE Championship which is a Singaporean combat sports promotion.
Even with all these accomplishments under her MMA belt, Lee nonetheless decided to put her growing MMA career on pause in order to finish high school and graduate. She was said to return to fighting with a bout against Zeba Bano, another MMA wonder, in Bangkok, on January 14, 2023.
Lee’s death was formally announced on January 7th 2023 by her sister Angela Lee via Instagram but refused to reveal the cause. Lee’s family shut down their family-owned business (their MMA training facilities) in Waipahu, Hawaii and disclosed that the facilities would remain permanently closed.
What was the legacy that Victoria Lee left? What was it like inside her life? Lee’s parents, Jewelz Lee and Ken Lee were decorated martial artists and were very prominent in what led Lee to pursue MMA and athleticism. Due to her parents background in martial arts, Lee started training and competing at a very young age.
Chairman and CEO of ONE, Chatri Sityodtong, had known Lee since she was 11 and had seen her blossom into an MMA star. He paid tribute to Lee on social media by saying, “I am heartbroken by Victoria Lee’s passing. Victoria’s wisdom, thoughtfulness, and selflessness was beyond her years. I deeply admired her purest heart of gold and a brilliant mind.”
Victoria Lee’s legacy will live on forever in the hearts of MMA fighters and fans. She was a rising star and could have gone far in her career. Her effect on the sport and on the world will live on in everybody’s hearts forever.