RITU Phogat may have stunned the mixed martial arts (MMA) world when she took out the number two contender Meng Bo, on a seven-fight win streak, to advance to the semi-finals of ONE Championship's Atomweight Grand Prix in Singapore.
But the person who seems to have rejoiced the most is another MMA star Angela Lee who though has been out of action for two years has not lost any of her feistiness that made her the youngest MMA world champion in 2016.
“That was an exciting fight for me,” the 25-year-old said. “I was rooting for Ritu, just because of how much crap that Meng Bo was talking leading up to this Grand Prix."
The Indian showed a warrior's resolve as she fought back from a near stoppage in the first round to beat the former title contender by an unanimous decision.
Lee was full of praise for Phogat who came back strongly showing heart and being a non quitter.
“After the match ended you could see it all over Meng Bo’s face - she was devastated, like ‘what happened?’ That was just priceless. I really think both ladies got what they deserved.”
Lee would like to see how the 27-year-old two-time world junior silver medallist in wrestling, Phogat, does when she faces Japan’s Itsuki Hirata in the semi-finals.
After getting married in 2020 and giving birth in April this year, the 25-year-old Lee is training hard to make her comeback in February next year, when she is scheduled to defend her ONE Championship women's Atomweight title against the winner of the ongoing Grand Prix competition in her division.
She is happy to see so many new faces in the division that she says is growing rapidly and hopes this will attract more girls.
"When we beat a good fighter, we get confidence. Meng Bo is a really good fighter. She is the number 2 contender. I learned a lot and got a lot more experience. I'm ready for whoever I have to face in the next round. I'm ready for the next challenge. I want to prove that I am the best," Phogat said. - Agencies, September 11, 2021
