MMA Prodigy Victoria Lee Passes Away At Age 18

The world of mixed martial arts (MMA) is in mourning due to the sudden passing of rising ONE Championship star Victoria Lee. She was 18 years old.

Her older sister, Angela Lee, personally confirmed the news through a lengthy post on Instagram on Saturday, January 7.

According to Angela, Victoria passed away last December 26, 2022. However, the cause of her death has not been shared.

"On December 26, 2022, our family experienced something no family should ever have to go through. It is incredibly difficult to say this. Our Victoria passed away," Angela wrote.

"She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then. We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same. Life will never be the same."

Victoria was originally slated to compete at ONE on Prime Video 6 in Bangkok, Thailand on January 14 (January 13 in the United States) against India's Zeba Bano in a three-round atomweight bout.

An obituary posted at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Kanahe, Hawaii said that a celebration of Victoria's life has been scheduled for January 22 before her burial.

"We miss you so much, sis. More than you could ever realize. We're all broken. Because a piece of you was in each of us and when you left, those pieces were ripped out of us. We will never be the same," Angela continued.

"Each and every little thing makes me think of you. From the sun rays to the sunset. You taught us to see the beauty in the simple things. You were our bright light. Our sunshine. And that will never change. You were perfect in every way. The best person I knew. The most beautiful girl, inside and out. We love you, Victoria. I love you, Sprout. Until the end of time."

Angela then proceeded to request privacy during this difficult time for herself and her family.

"Please give our family grace and respect during this most difficult time. And please, check on your loved ones. Keep checking on them. Give them hugs and tell them how much they mean to you. You just never know," she stated.

A few hours after the news broke on social media, ONE Championship released a brief statement on Victoria's passing and paid tribute to the MMA phenom.

Victoria owned a professional MMA record of 3-0 with two wins via submission and one by way of knockout.

She was tipped to follow in the footsteps of Angela and older brother Christian Lee, who are both world champions in ONE Championship.

Angela is the current ONE women's atomweight champion, while Christian holds both the ONE lightweight and welterweight titles.

Prior to turning pro in MMA under the ONE Championship banner, Victoria had been turning heads across multiple combat sports, becoming a two-time Hawaiian pankration junior world champion, capturing the Hawaii state wrestling title, and copping the IMMAF junior world championship.

Editor's note: This article has been updated at 8:49 PM ET on January 7, 2023.