Lee Looks For “Champ-Champ” Glory In ONE
Angela Lee has set a new challenge for herself, as the current undefeated ONE atomweight champion looks to jump up a weight class and become a double champion.
Lee, who has made three successful defenses of her title, will move from 115 pounds to 125 pounds, as she battles Jignan Xiong on November 9th in Singapore for the ONE straweight title.
“I can’t wait to make history again, this time by being the first female two-division champion,” Lee told reporters on a recent ONE Championship media call. “I have lot of respect for Xiong. I think she is a heavy hitter and, as a world champion, I think she’s working hard to round off the rest of her game. Our styles are a great match for each other. We’re both very aggressive.
“So for sure there will be fireworks at the Singapore Indoor Stadium,” Lee continued. “It’s probably going to the one of the best fights of the night. Like all of my fights, I’m going to be looking for a devastating finish. I want to make a statement in the strawweight division.”
Lee claims that the move to 125 has been a huge positive for her, as she feels strong and healthy heading into fight week.
“Usually I have to start my diet and weight descent like 10 weeks outside [of the fight],” said Lee. “This fight is so different because I’m feeling so strong, so healthy. I’m just a couple pounds away from my fight weight and instead of wasting hours and miles on the treadmill, I’m using that time to sharpen my techniques and drill more, get more rounds in, and it’s just all-around so much better. I think you guys are going to see the best of me on fight night.”
While Lee may be undefeated as a competitor and has dominated the atomweight division, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong, feels that Lee is the “heavy underdog” on November 9th. Styodtong would even question Lee’s motives for going for a second title, which Lee claimed was a need for a challenge.
“I’ve never been a person to just be comfortable with where I’m at,” said Lee. “This is about my legacy. I want to be known as one of the baddest female fighters of my time, of this era. I see this as a great opportunity. I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity, I’m going to shock the world. I’m going to become the first female two-division champion. That’s all.
“I do expect the girls to be a little bigger, a little stronger, but that’s not an issue for me. I’m not scared of being the smaller woman. In fact, I don’t think I will. When you see us match up, you guys will see. I think it’s gong to be a great fight.”
Initial Report: MMA Fighting