We will all miss you: Chatri Sityodtong pens tribute to Victoria Lee

08 January 2023

The death of Victoria Lee struck the MMA world hard.

The MMA community, including ONE Championship, the organisation she competed for, was in disbelief when news broke on Saturday of her tragic death on December 26 at the age of 18. On Saturday, Chatri Sityodtong, the CEO of ONE Championship, posted on Facebook to express his condolences to Lee's family and to discuss her passing.

“I am heartbroken by Victoria Lee’s passing. I first met Victoria when she was 11 years old. I watched her blossom over the years as a martial artist and a human being. I always remember thinking how wise, thoughtful, and selfless she was beyond her years. Of course, she was an extraordinary martial arts prodigy even back then, but I could see that she was so much more than that.

Victoria had the purest heart of gold and a brilliant mind. She looked after others before herself. She wanted to use her life to help the world. I will always remember Victoria for the beautiful and precious soul that she was. May you rest in peace, Victoria.

We will all miss you. I send my love, prayers, strength, and light to Ken, Jewelz, Angela, Christian, Adrian, and all of their loved ones. I am so truly heartbroken for your loss. May God bless you,” Sityodtong noted on Facebook.

Lee's sister, ONE Championship champion Angela Lee, made the announcement of her passing. Christian, her brother, is a two-division champion in the promotion as well. No specific cause of death was given.

ALSO READ | ONE Championship star Victoria Lee dies at 18

At ONE on Prime Video 6, Lee was slated to engage in her fourth MMA match on Saturday. In MMA, Lee had a 3-0 record. She made her professional debut in February 2021 by submitting Sunisa Srisen with a rear-naked choke. Lee's first TKO came against previously unbeaten Victoria Souza in September 2021, following a first-round armbar victory over Luping Wang in July 2021.