Asian MMA Legend Foresees Christian Lee As ONE Championship's Next Cornerstone

In just less than seven years into his mixed martial arts (MMA) career, Christian Lee has remarkably transformed from being a highly-touted prospect to becoming a decorated competitor on the world stage.

Since making his professional debut in 2015, success hasn't shied away from the 24-year-old from Waipahu, Hawaii as he strutted his wares in ONE Championship, where he quickly established himself as one of the most prolific finishers in the promotion's history and emerged as an incredibly exciting young talent to watch.

2019 was a banner year for Lee, who currently holds a win-loss slate of 15-4 with 10 victories by way of knockout and four via submission, as he became the ONE lightweight champion by pulling off an upset against the legendary Shinya Aoki before he stepped up on short notice to face Saygid "Dagi" Guseyn Arslanaliev in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix finals and eventually defeat the Turkish phenom.

One seasoned veteran on the organization's stacked roster has grown fond of Lee and his body of work inside the cage.

Filipino MMA superstar Eduard Folayang believes that at a young age, Lee has done enough to secure himself a spot in the pantheon of all-time greats under the Singapore-based outfit's banner.

"He (Lee) is an exceptional athlete, we all know that. Through the years, he had shown his tremendous growth in the sport and he justly earned his spot in the elite group of all-time fighters in ONE Championship," Folayang said.

Reaping tremendous praise from a two-time ONE lightweight titleholder and a respected legend like Folayang seems to be the right words that Lee needed to hear heading into his next assignment.

"The Warrior" is on a mission to reclaim the lightweight throne he relinquished to Ok Rae Yoon in September 2021 as both men will figure in a much-awaited rematch at ONE 160 on Friday, August 26.

Ok was able to put on the fight of his life and surprise both Lee and the MMA world when he took home the belt via unanimous decision.

Lee was quick to express his outrage at the decision in his post-fight interview.

In a previous post here on the International Business Times, Lee is apparently dead set on taking what he sees as rightfully his.

"I believe that I'm going to win this fight. If it is a close decision I can see how they can set up a trilogy fight, but if the fight goes how I plan on it going–I'm going to take him out quick and finish him–then there's going to be no need for a rematch," Lee stated

Although Lee is expected to go through the wringer once more at the hands of Ok, Folayang is certain that the Singaporean-American sensation can still surpass what he has already achieved in the sport whether he wins or loses on Friday.

"Looking at his age, he'll go a long way to go in MMA," the Filipino declared.