“Training Harder Than Ever” – Christian Lee Ready To Make Impactful Return At ONE Fight Night 26

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The much-awaited return of two-division MMA king Christian "The Warrior" Lee is just around the corner. He is set to defend his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title against dangerous Turkish fighter Alibeg Rasulov.

This fight will headline ONE Fight Night 26, airing live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on 7 December. Initially, the match was scheduled to take place at ONE 169 but was later rescheduled for this year-ending card.

The Singaporean-American superstar is returning to action after a two-year hiatus. His last fight was in 2022, when Christian Lee defeated Kiamrian Abbasov to claim the ONE Welterweight MMA World Title and become a two-division king.

Many fans and critics might say that ring rust can spoil the party for the champion, but "The Warrior" believes he is in better shape than ever before and ready to fight anyone.

"I feel like a much better fighter now, today, than the last time I (competed). I wasn't just taking the last two years off, resting. I've been training harder than ever, and I feel like I'm in the best shape that I've ever been in physically and mentally." Lee said.

"I still feel like I'm the best in the world, lightweight or welterweight. I feel ready to fight anybody. I'm just hungry to get back in there and do my job right."

The undefeated Turkish fighter won't be an easy target for him, though. Rasulov boasts an impressive record of 14-0 and has won by both submission and knockout. He even made a successful debut in ONE by defeating former champion Ok Rae Yoon.

Lee, a veteran of 21 fights, has also won his bouts both standing and on the ground. The youngest-ever male to become an MMA World Champion feels that his rival's style mirrors his own.

"I think that in some ways, we're actually similar fighters. He likes to strike with people. He likes to use his wrestling to wear people down, and then he does look for the finish, whether it's a knockout or submission." the 26-year-old said.

"Like always, my goal is to go out there and get a first-round finish. I think I could take him down and submit him in one round, and that's not to be cocky at all. I trust in the training that I put in the last two years."