Eddie Abasolo and Luke Lessei are both coming off competitive losses to the elite of the ONE Championship featherweight Muay Thai division. Now, they will try to right the ship against each other on Friday, February 16th, at ONE Fight Night 19. Abasolo, however, does not view the high-stakes matchup as a rebound fight.
Eddie Abasolo: “Its just another fight. . .I’m going to be game”
“I feel like going into this fight, it’s just another fight. You know, it’s not a rebound off of our last fight for me personally. I can only speak for myself. I can’t speak for him, but I feel like this fight is different. Because we’re both two dudes from the U.S. who do what we do very well. We just so happen to be in the same weight class, so it’s just a matter of seeing who’s the smoothest,” Abasolo told ONE.
Lessei has been on the Californian’s radar for years. Now that the time has come to compete against one another, “Silky Smooth” is looking at this match as a way to help solidify the status of American Muay Thai. Given their propensity for exciting battles, Abasolo predicts this matchup will be one that will leave fans around the world talking about after the final bell.
“Years ago, after watching Luke and a couple of his fights, I knew I was going to fight him sometime down the road. You know what I mean? And it’s here, so I’m just excited about that. It’s definitely a fight that not just the U.S., but the world, is going to remember,” the Californian said.
Abasolo may be gunning for a huge knockout, but he is not making any predictions before arriving in Bangkok. The California native saw how Lessei threw down with Smokin’ Jo Nattwut and nearly upset the Thai star. His own matchups are giving him pause entering this important bout as well.
After clashes with Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong and Niclas Larsen were different than what he had expected, Abasolo is going to take a wait-and-see approach on February 16. The American striker is preparing for all eventualities. Abasolo wants to shine and show he can adapt on the fly.
“Man, I can’t even call it. I can’t call it. Because realistically, my last two fights, especially for ONE, I’ve expected certain things, and the rhythm wasn’t what I expected as far as pace goes. I didn’t expect my last fight to be a banger like it was with Sitthichai, but that’s what it turned into. Basically, anywhere that it goes, I’ll be ready to go there. Regardless if it’s fast-paced. Regardless if it’s slow-paced. If we really go for it, I’m going to be game,” Abasolo expressed.
Lessei currently brings the #5-ranking along with him into the match. As such, Abasolo is ready to usurp his position and enter the title discussion himself. If he can win under the bright lights and in U.S. primetime, “Silky Smooth” expects another top contender to position himself as one of the biggest threats to the crown in 2024.
“Top two or three – three at most depending on how the performance goes [at ONE Fight Night 19] and the performance after that. But I’m just gonna enjoy it. One fight at a time, you know,” Abasolo said.
ONE Fight Night 19 airs live on Friday, February 16th, from Bangkok. The action begins at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Prime Video. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
