Victoria Lee had been called the 'single greatest pound-for-pound female prospect in the world'
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Victoria 'The Prodigy' Lee has tragically died at just 18 years old.
The Hawaii-born unbeaten fighter came from a family of MMA stars, with her sister, Angela, the current ONE Championship atomweight champion, while her brother Christian Lee holds the lightweight championship.
Posting on social media, Angela wrote of her little sister: "On December 26, 2022 our family experienced something no family should ever have to go through. It is incredibly difficult to say this [but] our Victoria passed away."
"She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then," the champion fighter wrote.
"We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same."
She added: "Life will never be the same."
Victoria Lee made her debut in 2020 and has an unblemished record, winning two fights by submission and one by knockout.
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong dubbed Lee as the one to watch at 16 years of age, calling her the "single greatest pound-for-pound female prospect in the world".
She last fought in the octagon in September 202, before taking time off to finish high school.
Angela revealed her family is 'broken' by their loss.
"We miss you so much, sis. More than you could ever realize," she wrote on Instagram.
"Because a piece of you was in each of us and when you left, those pieces were ripped out of us.
"Each and every little thing makes me think of you. From the sun rays, to the sunset. You taught us to see the beauty in the simple things. You were our bright light. Our sunshine. And that will never change.
"You were perfect in every way. The best person I knew. The most beautiful girl, inside and out."
She added a final farewell to her younger sister: "We love you Victoria. I love you Sprout. Until the end of time."
"I am heartbroken by Victoria Lee’s passing. I first met Victoria when she was 11 years old. I watched her blossom over the years as a martial artist and a human being," he wrote.
"I always remember thinking how wise, thoughtful, and selfless she was beyond her years. Of course, she was an extraordinary martial arts prodigy even back then, but I could see that she was so much more than that.
"Victoria had the purest heart of gold and a brilliant mind. She looked after others before herself. She wanted to use her life to help the world. I will always remember Victoria for the beautiful and precious soul that she was."
He added: "May you rest in peace, Victoria. We will all miss you."
The Lee family has not revealed Victoria's cause of death, but urged people to 'check on their loved ones' as 'you just never know'.
Related links:
