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Angela Lee ready for toughest opponent of her career

SINGAPORE – Angela Lee has achieved more than most in a short but spectacular Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) career, but the 20-year-old local favourite is not interested in looking back at her triumphs. Instead, her focus is locked on what lies ahead.

Local MMA star Angela Lee believes she is the more complete fighter than her opponent, Istela Nunes of Brazil. Photo: ONE Championship

Local MMA star Angela Lee believes she is the more complete fighter than her opponent, Istela Nunes of Brazil. Photo: ONE Championship

SINGAPORE – Angela Lee has achieved more than most in a short but spectacular Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) career, but the 20-year-old local favourite is not interested in looking back at her triumphs.

Instead, her focus is locked on what lies ahead.

It has been over a year since Lee wrote herself into the annals of MMA history by defeating Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi to capture the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship title.

At the time, Lee was just 19 when she entered the ONE Championship cage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium as a bright-eyed teenager in May 2016. After five grueling rounds, she exited the cage as the sport’s youngest-ever world champion.

Three days from now, Lee will return to the 12,000-seater state-of-the-art venue a confident MMA world champion to square off with probably the toughest opponent of her fledgling prizefighting career. She will put her coveted gold-plated ONE Championship belt on the line against Brazilian contender Istela Nunes in the main event of ONE: Dynasty of Heroes on Friday (May 26).

Nunes is a cage counterpart who should not be underestimated as she is a two-time Muay Thai world champion with an unblemished 6-0 professional win-loss record.

Her exciting style and knack for delivering powerful strikes make for exciting fights, and these qualities are a big part of her game. At her best, the 24-year-old is a well-rounded combatant with a solid striking and grappling skillset that gave her two career wins by finish.

But Lee believes that she has what it takes to tame a ferocious striker like Nunes and, when it’s all said and done, she will have her hand raised in triumph at the end of the fight.

“She’s a good striker, but I know that I’m a more well-rounded fighter,” said the confident Lee.

“I can take this fight wherever I want it. Whether it’s on the feet or on the ground, I’m extremely confident in all areas.

“I am the more complete fighter and, at the end of the day, that is what it comes down to. I have been doing this my whole life and, when we step into the cage, I know without a doubt I am going to come out victorious.”

This will be the second time Lee is defending her crown after brushing off the challenge of Taiwanese fighter Jenny Huang via a technical knockout in Bangkok in March.

ONE Championship founder and chairman Chatri Sityodtong believes Lee is in for a tough night against Nunes.

“Istela Nunes is ready to give Angela Lee a stiff challenge as the division’s top contender,” said the boss of Asia's top MMA promotion.

“This is going to be a really great match-up. I think it’s going to test Angela at the highest levels that she’s ever been. Nunes is a phenomenal opponent. It’s going to be an exciting fight for fans.”

Many has wondered how Lee is going to plan her fight strategy against Nunes. When asked about what might be in store, the champion did not mince her words as she wrapped up her training camp at Singapore’s Evolve MMA gym.

“We’re looking to finish this fight quickly. This time you’re going to see the best of me possible. I’m going to bring my A game,” Lee said.

“This is MMA. It’s not a Muay Thai fight. I am looking to use all of my tools and to get the job done."

EVENT DETAILS
What: ONE: Dynasty of Heroes
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium
When: Friday, May 26, 6.30pm

*For ticketing information of ONE: Dynasty of Heroes, visit www.onefc.com

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