Adrian Lee looks back on his pro debut in ONE Championship: “It is definitely a bit surreal”

Teen phenom Adrian Lee has had two matches already under his belt in ONE Championship but looks back to his debut and ongoing journey with a lot of amazement.

The latest member of the Lee family to compete in ONE, following his world champion siblings Angela (atomweight/retired) and Christian (lightweight and welterweight) and late older sister Victoria, 'The Phenom' has created a lot of ripple since becoming a pro.

Adrian Lee's first match came back in June, where he was a second-round winner by submission over Australian Antonio Mammarella. He then followed it up with another submission victory inside the opening round over American Nico Cornejo at ONE 168 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. on Sept. 6.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, 17-year-old Lee touched on his burgeoning professional career, including his debut as well as competing in ONE, where his siblings made a name for themselves.

The Singaporean-American fighter said:

"Ever since I was young for like, quite a few years really, I've been going to all the events with them, going through all the media. But it is definitely a bit surreal that it's now me inside the ring. But I think that I'm fully used to it now, and I'm quite comfortable with all the things that come with it."

Adrian Lee signed with ONE Championship last year following a successful amateur career in both wrestling and MMA. He hopes to extend such success in the pros and be a world champion at some point.

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Adrian Lee wins another $50,000 performance bonus in last fight

Apart from piling up the wins, Adrian Lee earned a $50,000 performance bonus in each of his first two matches in ONE Championship. Both came after he dominated his opponents with impressive submission victories.

The latest of his triumphs was over American Nico Cornejo at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6, where he made short work of 'The Steel City Kid' with an opening-round submission by way of a now-vaunted rear-naked choke.

It was the same move he employed in his debut victory in June over Australian Antonio Mammarella.

At ONE 168: Denver, Adrian Lee joined Johan Estupian (Colombia), Johan Ghazali (Malaysia/USA), John Lineker (Brazil), Seksana Or Kwanmuang (Thailand) and Superlek Kiatmoo9 (Thailand) as bonus recipients from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

But despite the bonuses, Lee said his main goal of becoming the best combat athlethe that he can be is still his priority.