ONE champ Angela Lee keeps feet on ground despite MMA stardom

Angela Lee celebrates after stopping Jenny Huang in the third round to defend her atomweight title in the main event of ONE Championship: Warrior Kingdom on March 11, 2017 in Thailand. Photo from ONE Championship’s Facebook page

There’s no denying Angela Lee’s fast rise to popularity in the mixed martial arts scene and as one of ONE Championship’s biggest draws.

Lee’s star power was in full effect in ONE’s latest event in Manila last Friday where the youngest MMA world champion ever drew love from the packed crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

Victor Cui, CEO of the Singapore-based MMA promotion, was a witness to Lee’s popularity not only in the Philippines but in other parts of Asia as well.

“Everywhere that Angela goes in Asia she still surprises me with how big her fanbase is,” said Cui during a conference call Wednesday.

“She’s making fans all over the place and if you’re walking around within the Philippines, everybody was stopping her for pictures,” said Cui. “And in Singapore, as Singapore’s hero and as Singapore’s first ever world champion, her fanbase there is just outstanding.”

Lee, who is born in Vancouver, Canada to a Singaporean father and South Korean mother, made her ONE debut two years ago and in just her sixth fight won the inaugural atomweight belt after surviving a gauntlet against Mei Yamaguchi in 2016.

Lee said she’s overwhelmed with what has been a whirlwind first couple years with ONE.

“It’s been pretty crazy. A lot of media attention now. It’s something I don’t think I’m ever be going to be used to,” Lee said.

“Honestly, this whole thing has just been amazing. I’m really happy with where I’m at right now and it really means a lot to me knowing there are so many people around the world who really love to see me fight and who support me.”

Despite the stardom, Lee keeps her feet firmly planted on the ground.

“And at the end of the day, I’m just so grateful for everything that has happened because I still feel like I’m the same girl, you know, this 20-year-old kid who’s living the dream. So it’s been amazing and I’m loving it, I’m loving the journey,” Lee said.

“It just blows me away at how fast things have escalated and I’m very, very grateful to be headlining the 2nd women’s main event card in ONE championship history. Very excited to be in Singapore and really looking forward to it. I think that it’s only been two years since I’ve been competing with One championship and it’s been a crazy, crazy ride so far.”

Lee, who owns a flawless record of 7-0, is scheduled to make her second title defense on May 26 against Istela Nunes of Brazil in the main event of ONE: Dynasty of Heroes in Singapore.

“It’s gonna be a great matchup and I think it’s gonna test Angela at the highest level that she’s ever been,” Cui said. “Nunes is a phenomenal opponent and it’s gonna be an exciting fight for fans.”