ANGELA Lee has broken through many barriers in her storied career, including becoming the youngest-ever mixed martial artist World Champion.
Now, the ONE Atomweight World Champion looks to make history once again when she fights strawweight queen Xiong Jing Nan in a trilogy match in the headliner of ONE Fight Night 2 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday, October 1.
This will be Lee’s second attempt at Xiong’s ONE Strawweight World Title, and although she came up short in her first try, she’s wants to prove this time around that she can nab the gold while entertaining the crowd.
“I love being the main event. Luckily, I’ve had the honor of doing so for many shows already. That’s one thing I love and respect about ONE Championship. They put so much faith in us as female athletes, or just athletes in general, believing in our skills and techniques and knowing that we’re going to put on a hell of a show and close out the night,” she said.
“I’ve always loved to rise to the occasion, and every main event that I’ve [been] put on, I feel like it’s been a great event.”
For “Unstoppable,” this bout is monumental for a number of reasons. First, she’ll be fighting in her father’s native home country – Singapore. Second, Singapore just so happens to be where she won her first ONE World Title. Third, if Lee can unseat “The Panda,” she’ll make history as the first woman to hold ONE titles in two different weight classes.
But the feat won’t be easy because both women know each other all too well.
Xiong defended her ONE Strawweight World Title against Lee at ONE: A NEW ERA in March 2019. Six months later, Lee guarded her atomweight strap from her 34-year-old opponent at ONE: CENTURY PART I in October 2019.
Now, the “mom-champ” promises that this match will be the most exciting of their three meetings.
“We’re not point fighters. We go in there to get the job done. I’ve had a couple of decision fights. I’ve gone the distance. I have gone to deep waters,” Lee said.
“But of course, the goal is always to finish early, and we’re preparing if it does go the distance. But the game plan is definitely still the same as always, which is to finish the fight as soon as possible.”
Before Lee steps back into the Circle, watch all the action at ONE 161: Petchmorakot vs. Tawanchai on Thursday, on One Sports and One Sports+ at 6 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). The main card will follow on One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m.