Angela Lee Hits Back At Denice Zamboanga And Her Critics
In the last hour, Angela Lee has taken to social media to hit back at her critics, who are suggesting that she should vacate her ONE atomweight title, after her recent announcement that she is pregnant.
After announcing an Atomweight Grand Prix next year at the start of the week, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong confirmed during a media conference call two days ago that the winner of the Grand Prix will not be crowned the division’s new champion, but instead challenge Lee for the title when she returns.
Lee, who remains unbeaten at atomweight, took to Instagram to state her intentions to return back to action after her pregnancy.
“There is so much that I’ve already accomplished at just 24 years old but I know that my time as a fighter and a champion is far from over.
I still have my goals and I still have a lot of love for this sport. I can almost guarantee that I’ll be more motivated than ever to step back in the ONE circle after my pregnancy.
I’m the very first female champion for ONE and I’ve been champion since 2016. I’m not about to give this up so easily. I look forward to seeing how the Atomweight Grand Prix plays out. I’ll be watching very closely. It’s a bummer I won’t be able to compete in it because that Grand Prix belt is gorgeous! But I’ll be wishing all the ladies the best of luck!
See you guys in 2021!“
One person who has been especially vocal in their calls for Lee to vacate, is Denice Zamboanga, who was set to challenge the champion before the news broke of her pregnancy. Also taking to Instagram, ‘The Menace’ urged Angela to relinquish the title.
“I have proven myself to the world. I am the number one contender. I earn it through beating world class opponents. I have already face Mei Yamaguchi, the fighter that almost beat Angela. The fight I believe Angela was very fortunate to win. She was in trouble most of the time during that fight. I was never in trouble during that fight. Mei is a great fighter and I have a lot of respect for her. In my opinion she is a better fighter than Angela.
Angela is the world champion she should do the right thing like all the great champion does. She should give the respect other fighter deserve and most importantly she should not resist vacating the Championship belt since she can not defend it.
She made a choice to become a mother, which is great I am very happy for her. However she should do the respectable thing and vacate the Championship belt herself and do have to wait for the organization to ask. I am surprised that she hasn’t made the announcement to vacate the belt. Most great champion would done this straight away as soon as they know they can not defend the belt for the personal reason.
I hope she does the right thing and made the announcement herself. Be the respectable champion as I always know her to be.
When she ready to come back I will be waiting for her.“
Moments ago, Lee posted another message on social media, telling Zamboanga that she needs to ‘earn’ the title.
“The Atomweight Belt is mine.
I fought hard for it. I sacrificed my blood, sweat and tears for it. I waited years for the opportunity and once I captured the title, I didn’t allow anyone to take it from me. If no one took it from me, then why should I give it up?
Many people are too entitled these days. They think that gold should just be handed to them on a silver platter. Sorry but it doesn’t work that way.
In case you guys forgot what I did to earn this belt:
– 5 fight win streak (all finishes) to get to the Title Shot.
– In 2016, I won the Inaugural Atomweight Championship in what many called it,
“The Best Female MMA Fight of All Time”.
– Made history and became the Youngest MMA Champ EVER at 19 years old.
– Successfully defended my World Title 4 times.
Denice, I know you’re an eager, up and coming, contender but I hate to break it to you. You don’t get a free belt, just like that. You gotta EARN it by taking it from the Champ. You have 2 decision wins in ONE. Your only finish was an 0-0 girl making her debut.
There are talented girls in the Atomweight Division but no clear Number 1 Contender. The Grand Prix will produce the true No.1 contender and I will defend my belt against the Grand Prix winner.
That’s the fight to make in 2021!
With all of that being said, ultimately, it’s not up to me or any contender to say if I should vacate my title or not. That decision is entirely up to the company, @onechampionship and the CEO, @yodchatri . I know that they will make the final decision based on what is right and not just on what a contender demands.“
Lee, who successfully defended her title against Xiong Jingnan a year ago at ONE: Century, also took to Twitter to emphasise why she should remain the champion.
Do you think Angela Lee is right to not vacate her ONE atomweight title?
UPDATE:
In the last few hours, Angela and Chatri have commented further on the subject.
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