Christian Lee made his return to ONE Championship after a two-year layoff at ONE Fight Night 26. However, it was not the triumphant night he had planned. In the second round of his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title defense, an accidental eye poke to Alibeg Rasulov resulted in a no-contest.
Christian Lee Pleased to Have Made His Return
Regardless of the outcome, “The Warrior” was happy to be back on the global stage. Christian Lee had been waiting for his return to show an improved version of himself. While the result wasn’t what he wanted, Lee was clear he felt at home back inside the ring.
“It felt great to be back in action. It was almost two years since I was last in there, and I felt good moving around in the ring. I was just hoping that the fight could have continued so I could have pushed for a finish,” Lee remarked to ONE.
After two years away, Lee looked like he never missed a beat. The quick start is what fans have been accustomed to seeing from the Prodigy Training Center star. And Lee did not feel any effects from being away.
Christian Lee and Alibeg Rasulov’s ONE Lightweight MMA World Title clash ends in a no contest after an inadvertent eye poke. Would you like to see a rematch?
Watch the full ONE Fight Night 26 event replay:
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“I don’t think I felt any ring rust. I do feel like I could have performed better, which I always do after every fight, but I do feel I was 100 percent on track to getting the finish there,” Lee stated.
When Christian Lee stormed out in the first round, he showed his trademark aggression. “The Warrior” even stung Rasulov with a stiff jab that got Rasulov’s attention. The activity continued in the second round, with Rasulov coming alive and responding with big strikes of his own. Still, Lee felt his game plan was working and would have paid off soon enough.
“I feel like I was winning the fight. I feel like I was landing the bigger shots. I was pushing forward while controlling the action in the ring. I feel like I was on track to wearing him down and taking him out,” the two-division World Champion commented.
Could We See Christian Lee and Alibeg Rasulov Run It Back?
The Lee family mantra is to finish the match as quickly as possible. Thus, the no-contest result is something that will continue to eat away at the ONE Lightweight and Welterweight MMA World Champion. And he is already clamoring for a rematch to show he can finish the Turkish athlete.
“I would definitely be open to a rematch against Rasulov. For me, I’m not happy going away from a fight without getting a clear, decisive win – getting a finish. So, I’m sure that we’ll face each other again in the future. I’m not sure what the immediate plans are going to be. But yeah, if they offer me that match again, I’m going to take it so I can finish it,” the Singaporean-American explained.
While a rematch with Rasulov makes sense after the no-contest, it will not be Christian Lee’s only option. That is the blessing and curse of being a two-division king. Lee will take whatever challenge comes his way but remains open to defending his gold across both divisions.
“Other than Rasulov, there are a lot of other great fighters out here in ONE Championship. So we’ll see what ONE Championship’s plans are for me, but I’ll be ready to defend the lightweight or welterweight belts in the future,” Lee said.
