Out injured, MMA star Angela Lee will still attend Immortal Pursuit event

SINGAPORE – While Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans will not get to see superstar Angela Lee compete against Japan's Mei Yamaguchi on Nov 24, they will at least get to watch the fights with her.

Speaking to TODAY, ONE Championship chief executive Chatri Sityodtong said: "I spoke to Angela, and she said she wanted to be at the fight and be with her fans."

While Mr Chatri confirmed on Wednesday (Nov 8) that fans who had bought tickets to watch the 21-year-old in action would not get refunds, he assured them that the ONE: Immortal Pursuit event would still deliver a night of fun.

"We have a lot of great Singaporean fighters," said Mr Chatri, who added that the bout between 22-year-old Singaporean Amir Khan and Australia's Adrian Pang will be moved up to the co-main event.

The main event will see reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren of the United States facing off against Japan's Shinya Aoki.

Meanwhile, a replacement fighter will be found for Lee's match against Mei Yamaguchi (Japan), with details to be announced at a later date.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Chatri confirmed in a Facebook post that Lee, the reigning ONE Atomweight World Champion was ruled out of the title fight against Yamaguchi on Nov 24 after sustaining injuries in a car accident in Hawaii.

The rising young star's rematch against the Japanese fighter was expected to headline the ONE: Immortal Pursuit event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium this month.

Lee's Singaporean father Ken said in a Facebook post that his daughter's car, an Audi, hit a guardrail on the highway early on Tuesday.

"The axle snapped and the car flipped five to six times over 100 yards (91m) and landed on the opposite side of the highway, according to the police," said the senior Lee.

Mr Chatri said in a Facebook post that Lee "survived with only a concussion, some minor burns, and a banged up body."

"She did her medical, and the scans showed that she had no internal bleeding," added Mr Chatri in the phone interview, though he was not certain when she would fully recover.

"I spoke to Angela's parents yesterday, and ONE FC will help in any way possible."

The ONE Championship boss told TODAY that Lee had been training hard for her match against Yamaguchi. "She was just exhausted when she fell asleep at the wheel and veered off the highway," he said.

Lee, who lives in Mililani, Hawaii, was driving to her parents' gym in Waipio, a journey that is slightly over 6km, reported The Honolulu Star.

Describing the dark stretch of road his daughter was driving on at 5am as notorious for accidents, Ken said she was "not drinking or speeding".

He added that "most hardworking individuals that drive into work at 5am have been tired while driving (knowingly or unknowingly) at some point", though he clarified he was not making excuses for her.

"I just want to remind everyone to be very careful when driving. Everything can change in the blink of an eye," he said.

The 21-year-old Lee, who holds the ONE Championship women's atomweight belt, was aiming to extend her 8-0 perfect record with a victory over Yamaguchi in Singapore.

Taking to Instagram to express his relief, fellow One Championship fighter and fiance Bruno Pucci wrote: "You are proving everyone how strong you are, you are unstoppable! I'm so grateful I can see you smile and tell you how much I love you."

The 27-year-old Brazilian and Lee have been in a relationship since January and announced to fans on October 21 that they were engaged. They have yet to set a date for their wedding.