Page 5 - MidWeek Central - Apr 7, 2021
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world championship title under his belt. Victoria, 16, recently joined her older sib- lings at ONE, making her the youngest to be signed by a professional world-level athletic organization.
munity and togetherness. “We represent a gathering place for martial arts instruc- tion,” explains Jewelz. “We are all united with a same
shares Jewelz, who adds that both are expected this month.
unitedmmahawaii.com. Those wanting to try their hand at something martial arts related can check out United BJJ Hawai‘i on the first level of United MMA.
launched by Angela and hus- band Bruno Pucci last year — previously was located in Wahiawā, and teaches gi and no-gi grappling classes. For more information, visit unit- edbjjhawaii.com.
niques along with their kids and work on them at home.
And, she teases that Unit- ed MMA classes may soon return this summer. Learn more and keep up online at
“It’s a really great bond- ing activity,” adds Jewelz.
common goal and mindset.” United MMA Hawai‘i’s doors have been closed to the public since the emer- gence of the coronavirus, but the facility’s active pro- fessional and amateur fight teams used the space to train
The couple met while participating in martial arts, and wanted their kids to take part in the sport, too.
And, adds Jewelz, Victo- ria won her pro debut back in February by second-round submission. Adrian, mean- while, who turned 15 in March, was supposed to fly to Florida for a nation- al competition but opted to stay closer to home to help Christian train for his up- coming title defense — a big responsibility as his big brother prepares to fight Russia’s Timofey Nastyukh- in April 14 on TNT.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu biz —
APRIL 7, 2021 5
Lee Family From Mililani Emphasizes Martial Arts, Self-defense, Community
“We’ve always been very active and athletic people,” says Jewelz. “We wanted to make sure that our children knew how to protect and defend themselves and each other.”
for upcoming competitions. “Luckily our pro athletes have still been able to com- pete and provide for their
It’s no surprise, then, that their kids — Angela, Chris- tian, Victoria and Adrian — stay fit as well.
families,” Jewelz says. However, even with coronavirus restrictions in place, that doesn’t mean Jewelz and Ken haven’t kept
Angela (Lee Pucci) is a five-time atomweight champ and inaugural champ for ONE, while brother Chris- tian has a ONE lightweight
It’s evident that family is everything to the Lees, which is why the name of their facility invokes com-
occupied as of late.
“We have two grandba-
bies on the way scheduled to be born five days apart,”
From left, are Lee family members Jewelz, Christian, Victoria, Adrian, Angela and Ken.
PHOTO COURTESY UNITED MMA HAWAI‘I
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