Republished November 09, 2017 - 6:51 AM
Original Publication Date November 08, 2017 - 5:16 PM
HONOLULU - Angela Lee, a Vancouver-born mixed martial arts fighter, is recovering after a car accident in Hawaii.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported the One Championship female world atomweight champion will miss her title defence scheduled for Nov. 24 in Singapore.
One Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong wrote on his Facebook page Lee was driving to training on Monday when she fell asleep. He said Lee suffered a concussion and some minor burns.
"If she was not wearing a seatbelt, it would have most certainly been a different story," he said.
Sityodtong didn't indicate when Lee would return to fighting.
"We are all blessed and relieved that Angela will make a full recovery," he said. "Please join me in sending love, prayers, and positive energy to Angela and her family."
Sityodtong didn't immediately respond to a Facebook message from The Associated Press seeking comment.
One Championship is a Singapore-based promotion that dominates the burgeoning Asian market for professional MMA.
Lee is a former Hawaii state wrestling champion and the daughter of two martial arts instructors. She was born in Vancouver and raised in Hawaii by her South Korean mother and Singaporean father.
Lee became the first female MMA world champion from Hawaii with a unanimous decision over Mei Yamaguchi in May 2016. She was scheduled to defend her title in a rematch against Yamaguchi later this month.
Lee, 21, announced her engagement to fellow fighter Bruno Pucci last month.
___
Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
News from © The Associated Press, 2017