ANGELA Lee shot back at Denice Zamboanga, saying she has no intention of vacating the One Women's atomweight championship.
The reigning champion, who is pregnant, took it to Instagram to respond to the Filipina fighter's tirades.
"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?," she said.
"In case you guys forgot what I did to earn this belt, five-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 four times."
Lee will be inactive for the foreseeable future after announcing her pregnancy with partner Bruno Pucci.
In an interview with South China Morning Post, the Singaporean titlist explained her decision to keep the belt.
"I want to get back into fighting after I have my baby and so my plan is to come back at the end of 2021 next year. By that time the grand prix will be wrapping up, and I’d like to face the winner of the tournament and they’ll be fighting for my title, so I don’t plan on vacating. I plan on coming back and fighting," she said.
One Championship will hold a Women's Atomweight Grand Prix, with the winner earning a title shot at Lee when she returns.
Zamboanga had insisted Lee should "do the right thing" and relinquish the title.
Lee took exception of Zamboanga's comments and although she praised the Filipina for being "a great up and coming fighter," she insisted that titles should be won and earned.
"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 earnit by taking it from the champ. You have two decision wins in ONE. Your only finish was an 0-0 girl making her debut," she said.
"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," she continued. "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!"
Lee then challenged Zamboanga to put her money where her mouth is, tweeting: "Let's see you win the Atomweight Grand Prix Belt and then maybe you can start calling some shots."
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