Victoria Lee: MMA world in shock after teen star suddenly dies

Hawaii - The world of mixed martial arts is mourning its rising star Victoria Lee, who shockingly died at just 18 years old.

MMA fighter Victoria Lee passed away at the age of just 18.
MMA fighter Victoria Lee passed away at the age of just 18.  © Collage/Screenshots: victorialee.mma/instagram

Victoria Lee was considered an MMA prodigy. She competed in the ONE Championship for the first time at the age of 16 and had won every fight to date.

Before making her debut as an MMA fighter, the Hawaiian was crowned the Pankration champion twice. She also won Hawaii’s junior wrestling championship in 2019 and 2020.

The promising fighter was following in the footsteps of her older siblings Angela Lee (26), the ONE atomweight champ and her older brother Christian Lee (24) the current ONE welterweight world champion.

Caitlin Clark gets called out by fans – and her dad – over heated March Madness antics
Athletes Caitlin Clark gets called out by fans – and her dad – over heated March Madness antics

Angela Lee shared the tragic news on Instagram Sunday in a moving tribute to her sister. She said Victoria died on December 26, 2022, but did not disclose the cause of death.

"[Victoria] 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," she wrote.

Angela Lee's moving tribute to her sister Victoria Lee

The ONE Championship released a statement on Twitter, saying it were "devastated by the tragic death."

Chatri Sityodtong, the CEO of ONE Championship also took to Facebook to mourn Victoria.

"I am heartbroken by Victoria Lee’s passing. I first met Victoria when she was 11 years old," he said. "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 Lee would have contested her fourth MMA fight on January 14.

Cover photo: Collage/Screenshots: victorialee.mma/instagram

More on Athletes: