Two-weight ONE MMA world champion Christian Lee will make his highly anticipated return to the ONE Championship Circle at ONE 169: Atlanta.
“The Warrior” is set to defend his ONE lightweight MMA world title against the rising contender Alibeg Rasulov on the stacked November 9 card at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
Lee has been out of action since his stunning fourth-round knockout victory over Kiamrian Abbasov to capture the ONE welterweight MMA world title in November 2022.
The 26-year-old took time away from the sport following the tragic passing of his younger sister, Victoria Lee, in December 2022.
His older sister, former ONE women’s atomweight MMA world champion Angela Lee, announced her retirement from the sport after the family’s devastating loss. However, Christian remained committed to resuming his career in honor of his late sibling.
The date is set, but Rasulov will be no easy opponent for Lee’s return.
The Dagestan-born Turkish wrestling standout is undefeated as a professional, boasting a 14-0 record.
The 31-year-old made a significant impact on the lightweight MMA division earlier this month by defeating former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Ok Rae Yoon in a five-round unanimous decision in the main event of ONE Fight Night 23.
Rasulov’s victory over Lee’s former opponent has positioned him as the top contender, ready to welcome the Singaporean-American star back to ONE.
Despite his time away, Lee remains one of the biggest stars on the promotion’s roster, with an impressive 21-fight record in ONE since 2015.
Of those fights, 17 have been victories, with 16 coming inside the distance, solidifying Lee as one of the most exciting fighters in ONE’s history.
Credit: Bangkok Post
