Getting to know Andrea “KGB” Lee of Invicta FC
Stephanie Schneider: What really intrigued you about MMA that made you decide to pursue it as a career?
Andrea “KGB” Lee: I grew up in small town in Atlanta, TX. I had always been interested in martial arts but it wasn’t until I moved to Shreveport, Louisiana that I got a job as a server at a local sports bar which aired all the UFC events and my interest grew. Under references from friends and coworkers I sought out Donny Aaron at Karate Mafia/Relson Gracie BJJ and began training in 2009 and I still train with them both in Bossier City, LA.
SS: You have fought and won in Muay Thai and Golden Gloves, are there any other form of the arts you have been studying or would like to master?
AL: I have won a national boxing title and multiple Muay Thai national and world titles. What most people don’t know is that I am a two time NAGA World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion and have won countless BJJ competitions in the expert absolute division against much larger, higher ranking girls. I will train BJJ forever and someday I’m sure I’ll be awarded a black belt.
SS: What does “KGB” really stand for?
AL: Well KGB came from the guys at the gym who swear I look Russian. It just turned into KGB because of what they claim are my Eastern European looks. Heck, even the Russian National Muay Thai team thought I looked Russian when I met them at the world championships. They took a picture of me in my KGB trunks and cowboy hat and it was later published in a St. Petersburg newspaper. Recently I’ve had some accuracy issues in the gym so now my coach says it stands for Kicking Guys Balls.
SS: Do you train with any other professional MMA athletes?
AL: We have several undefeated pros and high level amateurs that train at our gym, we are a solid team. I also have a lot of high level pros who come stay with me to train for weeks at a time. My house is rarely without a guest training partner staying with me.
SS: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
AL: My coach, who is also my husband and the father of my daughter, and my baby girl Ainslee inspire me to succeed. I want her friends to be impressed that her mom is the world champion, KGB. They keep me from settling with being average. But if you are asking who I admire the most as s fighter, I’d have to say Donald Cerrone…and not because of the hat.
SS: Where do you see yourself in the next few years, and what would you like to accomplish?
AL: I intend on winning simultaneous world titles in Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA. Because my weight class isn’t included in the UFC, I’m content to compete for Invicta FC’s flyweight title since Invicta FC is the largest stage in the world for female flyweights.
SS: What does your family and those closest to you think of your career choice?
AL: My family has become very supportive. It took them a little getting used to because they just didn’t understand it or see a future in it. But with my continued success they have come around. My in-laws are very supportive too and are instrumental in allowing me to train full time by way of childcare.
SS: What do you find to be your biggest challenge since deciding to become a fighter?
AL: The biggest challenges in being a full time fighter are the sacrifices I’ve had to make. Let’s face it, in order to do this you have to live what can sometimes be a selfish lifestyle. I have little time for hobbies or girls nights out or many of the things that a non-athlete is able to do. I struggle to find mother/daughter time so when I do have time away from my twelve hour gym days, I try to spend it with my baby girl. It’s a strain on friendships and relationships but in the end I’m convinced that my success will be worth all of the sacrifices.
SS: Do you have anything on the horizon, in terms of your next opponent or event?
AL: My next fight will be for Legacy Kickboxing and will air on AXS TV on May 29. I am fighting the number 10 ranked Muay Thai fighter in the world, Lindsey Marino. After that it’s Invicta FC 13 in Las Vegas on July 10.
SS: Thank you Andrea for taking the time out of your busy training regimen to grant me this interview, I look forward to seeing you in the cage soon, I always enjoy watching you fight. Is there anything else you would like to add?
AL: I’d just like to thank all those who believe in me and give me such incredible support. MMA fans are the best fans in the world. Also my sponsors who make it possible for me to train in a state of the art facility with nothing else to think or worry about except the next fight. Carbonation Toys, Herbalife and Champion Nutrition and Amber Sports. Karate Mafia and Relson Gracie. You can find me on Facebook and Twitter as Andrea KGB Lee. Instagram as Andrealeeaaron and on the web at www.andreakgblee.com. Thanks again for taking the time to interview me.
SS: Andrea, the pleasure was all mine, good luck in your upcoming fights, I will be rooting for you and looking for you in Las Vegas.
