ONE CEO says he will call Christian and Angela Lee for their blessing to create interim world titles

ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong plans on reaching out to reigning ONE world champions Christian and Angela Lee before instituting interim titles in their absence.

Following Ham Seo Hee’s unanimous decision victory over Itsuki Hirata at ONE Fight Night 8, Sityodtong informed ‘Hamzzang’ that her next fight inside the circle would be for the ONE atomweight interim world title. However, the ONE CEO revealed that he first wants to get the blessing of the division’s current titleholder before moving forward with an interim belt:

“Again, that’s a very strong possibility, for sure... I would like to call Angela and Christian out of courtesy, to get their blessing to continue on with an interim [world title], just out of respect. It’s a very difficult time for the family and I just don’t want to put any undue stress or any negative energy out there for them. I just want to make sure that they feel loved and supported by the world.”

The brother-sister duo currently hold three ONE world titles between them. Angela Lee holds the ONE atomweight world title while her younger brother Christian Lee is a two-division titleholder, carrying the ONE lightweight and welterweight championships. The pair have been out of action since last year following the unexpected passing of their younger sister, Victoria Lee.

With no timetable for a return as they continue to mourn their loss, it makes perfect sense for ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong to implement interim titles in an effort to keep the divisions moving.

Catch Chatri Sityodtong's interview below:

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Angela Lee shared an emotional tribute to her little sister

The MMA world is still reeling from the loss of 18-year-old prodigy Victoria Lee. The younger sister of ONE world champions Christian and Angela Lee, Victoria Lee was believed to be the next generation of Lee family excellence inside the circle. After earning three straight victories before graduating high school, ‘The Prodigy’ planned on returning to combat sports upon completing her senior year.

She graduated in May 2022, but unfortunately, her return to the circle would never come. Just after Christmas, Angela Lee revealed that her little sister had tragically passed away. In an effort to cope with the loss, ‘Unstoppable’ took to Instagram, penning an emotional letter to her late sister:

"Sometimes in life there are losses. Losses that can never really be replaced. Losing you has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to live with. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I wasn’t ready to let you leave. I would give anything for just one more day, just one more second. But I’ve learned to trust in unconditional love. Because the one profound thing about death is that love never dies.”

Victoria Lee was a two-time Hawaiian Pankration junior world champion and a Hawaii state wrestling champion. In September 2020, Lee signed a contract with ONE Championship at just 16 years old, making her the youngest signee in the history of the promotion.

“I loved you then. I love you now. Always did. Always will. Forever in my mind. Forever in my heart. I will carry you."