Two-division ONE World Champion Christian Lee credited ONE Championship’s Global MMA Rule Set for enabling him to showcase mixed martial arts in its purest form after successfully defending his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title against Turkish challenger Alibeg Rasulov at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The Singaporean-American kingpin needed just 2:32 of the second round to demolish the undefeated Dagestani wrestling specialist via TKO, securing his 17th career finish in 18 victories while defending his lightweight throne.
Christian Lee highlighted how ONE’s allowance of knees to grounded opponents proved decisive in his title defence, demonstrating the effectiveness of the promotion’s complete martial arts approach.
Lightweight King Christian Lee Defends Takedowns, Unleashes Ground Assault
Lee displayed exceptional takedown defence throughout the opening round and early portions of the second frame, repeatedly stuffing Rasulov’s attempts to impose his elite Dagestani wrestling prowess.
The finishing sequence came when Rasulov attempted another takedown and “The Warrior” sprawled perfectly, immediately securing a D’Arce choke before transitioning to a brutal barrage of ground knees that forced a referee stoppage.
The technical excellence and finishing instinct proved once again why Lee remains one of ONE Championship’s most dangerous MMA fighters across multiple weight classes.
Christian Lee Celebrates ONE’s Complete Martial Arts Philosophy
Speaking about his finish during the post-event presser, Lee emphasised how ONE Championship’s Global MMA Rule Set allows fighters to showcase true martial arts mastery by removing limitations that exist in other organisations. The champ-champ expressed deep appreciation for the organisation’s approach to determining the world’s best fighters.
“I love the ONE Championship ruleset. I think that knees to a grounded opponent is MMA in the purest sense. The sport was designed to figure out who the best fighter in the world is across any discipline,” the Singaporean-American explained.
The two-division king elaborated on how ONE’s complete martial arts philosophy enables him to fully express his skill set without arbitrary restrictions that compromise the authenticity of competition.
“I believe with mixed martial arts, you’re able to prove that you’re the best fighter in the world. And with the martial arts, with the ONE Championship rule set, it allows me to put that on perfectly, so I’m very grateful for it,” Lee added.
Christian Lee Eyes Welterweight Title Defence Next
Looking ahead, Christian Lee confirmed his intention to remain active across both the lightweight and welterweight divisions while awaiting clarity on his next challenger. “The Warrior” expressed particular interest in defending his welterweight crown as he continues building his legacy as one of ONE Championship’s greatest competitors.
“I’m staying active in both divisions. And once I get word on who the clear contender is, then I’ll be getting ready for that division. I do have my eyes set on the welterweight division, and right now I’ll be waiting on who the next opponent is,” Lee said.
The dominant victory over Rasulov extends Lee’s championship reign while solidifying his status as one of the most complete mixed martial artists competing today. With 17 finishes across 18 career victories, the Singaporean-American continues proving why he stands among ONE Championship’s elite two-division titleholders.
