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Adrian Lee, the youngest sibling of MMA stars Angela and Christian Lee, is ready to make his skilled debut with ONE Championship subsequent week.
Lee will face new rookie Antonio Mammarella at ONE 167 at Bangkok's Influence Area on June 7. Forward of his huge recreation, the 18-year-old spoke with NextShark to share insights about his journey, household influences and aspirations within the sport.
How he began
Hailing from O'ahu, Hawaii, Lee was immersed on the earth of MMA from a younger age. Born right into a household of skilled fighters, his path to the game was nearly predestined.
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“I used to be type of born for MMA,” says Lee, who turned 18 in March and graduated highschool in Could. “My siblings and my dad and mom have all the time skilled and taught MMA since I discovered to stroll. I used to be all the time on the mats.”
The affect of his household, particularly Angela and Christian, was instrumental in shaping his profession. Angela was the ONE Ladies's Atomweight World Champion till her retirement final September, whereas Christian presently holds the ONE Welterweight and Light-weight MMA world titles.
“Rising up within the household that I grew up in, the place my siblings have already made it to the highest in ONE Championship, it's been nice as a result of I've been capable of comply with of their footsteps and see what it means to get to the highest,” says Lee, a four-time nationwide MMA champion youth. Profitable his first nationwide and world titles solidified his resolution to pursue MMA professionally.
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Coaching and preparation
As Lee prepares for his debut at ONE 167, his coaching routine is intense and thorough. His brother Christian serves as his head coach.
“My brother has been with me since day one,” Lee tells NextShark. “He's my head coach now and he trains me day in and day trip. He's getting me greater than prepared for this battle.”
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Lee's day by day routine consists of two periods, every lasting between two and 4 hours. Regardless of the excessive stakes of his debut, his coaching strategy stays holistic.
“We prepare MMA as a complete as all the time,” he says.
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When manipulating strain
Coming into the skilled MMA area comes with its personal set of challenges, and Lee isn’t any stranger to strain. “I positively really feel the strain going into this match and each match shifting ahead,” he admits. “Nonetheless, I belief my coaching and know that it’s going to make me greater than able to deal with the strain.
Thus far, essentially the most troublesome elements of his journey have been coaching camps and media interviews. Luckily, his household's expertise and steering have been invaluable in dealing with these challenges.
“I believe essentially the most difficult facet of my total journey and my MMA profession has all the time to be the battle camp,” he says. “The coaching is the toughest a part of the battle and in addition with the media and every thing is new so I believe simply coping with that has been the toughest.
“I've been capable of alter fairly nicely as a result of my siblings and my dad and mom have finished a fantastic job making ready me for these interviews, and I've seen them undergo all of it earlier than, so I do know what to anticipate.”
Targets for the long run
Lee has excessive ambitions going ahead. His quick aim is to defeat fellow ONE newcomer Antonio Mammarella, 24, who he describes as “a reasonably well-rounded fighter with respectable placing and grounding.”
As well as, his aspirations embody turning into ONE light-weight champion of the world and finally a two-time champion. “After that, I wish to turn into the best martial artist,” he says.
Lee additionally maintains a transparent imaginative and prescient for his future. He plans to stay with MMA for the following few years, though he’s open to exploring different martial arts as soon as he achieves his targets.
“When you tune in for my battle will probably be thrilling and remember to tune in for my future fights and comply with me,” he tells his supporters.
For these aspiring to enter the world of MMA, Lee's recommendation is simple: “Keep targeted and keep within the health club. When you keep decided and have a tough work ethic, you’ll finally make it.”
And as for Mammarella, he leaves a easy message: “Be careful. It's going to be quick.”
ONE 167, headlined by the extremely anticipated Muay Thai rematch between Thai fighters Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Jo Nattawut, airs stay on Prime Video on June 7, 8:00 PM ET.
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