Christian Lee Reflects on Tragedy, Perseverance, and His Return to ONE Championship

Christian Lee

Christian Lee, the reigning two-division ONE Championship titleholder, is set to return to competition after a two-year hiatus following the devastating loss of his younger sister, Victoria Lee, in December 2022. Victoria’s tragic passing deeply impacted the Lee family and the combat sports world, leading Christian to take an extended break from fighting to focus on healing and supporting his family.

Initially, the loss made Christian reconsider his future in the sport.

“I didn’t want to do anything,” he said, describing the emotional toll that led to closing the family gym and stepping away from competition.

However, with time, he found the resolve to return to his calling.

“I never planned on retiring from this sport,” Lee emphasized, reaffirming his commitment to fighting as both his passion and profession.

During his time away, Christian dedicated himself to mentoring his younger brother, Adrian Lee, who has begun his MMA journey. Training one-on-one for months, Christian helped Adrian transition from a promising high school athlete to a professional fighter with two victories under his belt.

“I was happy to shift the focus over to my brother,” Christian shared, highlighting his dual role as a fighter and mentor.

The hiatus also provided Christian with a rare opportunity to rest and recharge after a relentless decade-long career that started when he was just 16. Now 26, he appreciates the mental and physical benefits of the break, acknowledging,

“The time off was good mentally and physically. At 26, in some ways, I feel like an old man because I started so young.”

With his newly opened Prodigy Training Center in Hawaii, Christian is embracing his role as a leader and coach while preparing for his welterweight title defense against Alibeg Rasulov. Balancing family, coaching, and his fight career, Lee’s rigorous schedule starts at 4:30 a.m. each day, demonstrating his unwavering work ethic.

As he steps back into the spotlight, Christian remains focused on honoring his sister’s legacy and inspiring the next generation of fighters.