WATCH: Angela Lee’s gut-wrenching submission finish over Istela Nunes in 2017 world title defense in Singapore

Angela Lee enjoyed a stellar career in ONE Championship, but her journey was far from easy, marked by moments that tested her mettle as both an athlete and a person.

One such defining moment came in May 2017 at ONE: Dynasty of Heroes, where she put her ONE women's atomweight MMA world championship on the line against Brazilian challenger Istela Nunes.

Watch the highlights of that matchup below:

In front of a packed Singapore Indoor Stadium, ‘Unstoppable’ delivered a performance for the ages. The night culminated in a triumphant scene, with confetti showering the Circle as she celebrated her second successful world title defense.

The Singaporean-American showcased her well-rounded skill set, blending precision striking with fluid grappling techniques to neutralize Nunes, a two-time Muay Thai world champion.

The bout ended in the second round, with Lee locking in an anaconda choke to seal a memorable victory.

However, what appeared to be a dominant display masked the extraordinary challenges Lee faced in the lead-up to the fight.

As soon as the referee waved off the contest, an emotional Lee dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. While it seemed like a natural outpouring of joy, the backstory revealed a deeper layer to her triumph.

Just ten days before the bout, Lee had been diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia. Battling fatigue and illness, she defied medical advice and soldiered on to compete.

Lee overcame not only a formidable opponent but also her physical limits, showcasing the resilience and grit that defined her as a champion.

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Angela Lee called it a career in 2023

Angela Lee ultimately retired in Sept. 2023, walking away with an impressive 11-3 professional record and as the inaugural ONE women's atomweight MMA world champion.

Now, she has dedicated herself to Fightstory, a non-profit organization she founded to champion mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

The initiative honors her younger sister, Victoria Lee, whose untimely passing in Dec. 2022 inspired Angela to use her platform to make a meaningful difference beyond the cage.