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Nicolas Atkin

Winning a second divisional title in ONE Championship has been Christian Lee’s long time goal.
But when the time came, he was too tired to actually lift the two belts.
“They were so heavy, and I was so exhausted,” he told the Post backstage at Singapore Indoor Stadium, after a stunning fourth-round TKO of Kiamrian Abbasov in the main event of Saturday morning’s ONE on Prime Video 4 card.
“I did not want to carry those things.”
Instead, his two cornermen grabbed them, and brought them into the media room, where Lee admitted he “had no idea” just how he survived a first round knockdown and a subsequent onslaught that ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong said he thought would have “folded 99 per cent of fighters”.


Indeed, referee Herb Dean was hovering as the much thicker Kyrgyzstani-Russian Abbasov swarmed for the finish.
“I thought the ref was gonna stop it, it was that bad,” Chatri told the Post. “He took some heavy, heavy blows after the knockdown. It just shows you what an unbreakable warrior spirit Christian Lee has. Truly a world champion spirit.”
Already the promotion’s lightweight MMA champion, Lee has now joined rarefied air as a “champ champ” – a feat his sister Angela Lee came so close to achieving in October, only to lose a decision to Xiong Jingnan.
ONE: Saygid warns Christian Lee ‘focus on me’, not UFC’s Makhachev
She too had to rally from a near-finish in the first round, when Dean was also ready to intervene. Clearly, the Lees – coached by their father, Ken, with two younger siblings making their way up the ranks – are made of stern stuff.
“To be honest, there is no thinking in times like that when you’re in a fight,” 24-year-old Christian said. “I’ve got to go back and watch it again.
“In my mind I did not envision Abbasov being able to drop me. But it’s a fight, things like that happen. So I just let my instincts take over, let my training kick in. I was able to stay composed, stay safe and then come back and finish him.
“I was ready to go the distance. I sure as hell didn’t want to, but I had more left in the tank. I’m very glad I was able to get the job done. I don’t like to leave it to the judges. I like to make a statement every time I step into the ONE Circle by finishing my fights.”

Lee had made the step up in weight, but admittedly was undersized compared to his opponent, who himself failed to make weight this week and lost his title on the scale. Only Lee was eligible to win it on Saturday, and he ensured it still rained confetti in the arena.
Cardio was an issue in his new, albeit temporary, home. But one that he can fix.
“I feel like right now, today, I am big enough and strong enough to compete in the welterweight division,” he said. “But I plan on making this my permanent division, and you guys will see a clear difference.
“I took this fight as a true lightweight stepping up. I weighed in at 185 pounds, which wasn’t hard. But once I make this my natural division I’ll make sure there’s a difference. Next time you guys see me at welterweight, it will be a much different story.
Lee (17-4), who holds the record for finishes in ONE (15), insisted his next fight will be a third lightweight title defence, but he will be watching closely when Croatian newcomer Roberto Soldic and Murad Ramazanov square off in Manila on December 3.

“I’m definitely not leaving the lightweight division behind, but looking forward to the future, I only plan on moving up in weight,” he said.
“Without a doubt, that’s the fight for the No 1 contender in the welterweight division, in Manila. I’ll be paying close attention. I will be facing one of them in the near future.”
Lee returned to the arena to watch his brother in law, Bruno Pucci, compete on Saturday night’s ONE 163 event, with Soldic watching on.
So too was UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who was cornering his fellow Dagestan-native Saygid Izagakhmaev against Japan’s Shinya Aoki.
“I mean, let’s do it, let’s break some records,” Lee said. “A fight between a ONE world champion and UFC world champion would create massive hype. It would make for the biggest MMA fight the world has ever seen.

“I know [Makhachev] would be down for a fight like that, he’s a true competitor like myself. But then it just comes down to the promotions, if they can come together and make a fight like that happen, because it would be huge.”
For now, Lee is content to keep running through everyone who steps in front of him in ONE Championship, where he is undoubtedly a standard bearer.
“I’ve been with the company for a long time now,” he said. “I feel I’ve put in the work and I’m not concerned about rankings, statistics. For me every time I go in there, I’m there to work and that’s what I do.
“I’m glad to be considered as one of the best in the world. For me, I’m just here to do my job.”


ONE Championship: Yod-IQ Pimolsri secures contract, eyes rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev

ONE Championship: Superbon insists his longevity, success are rooted in discipline over sacrifice

ONE Championship: Mohammad Siasarani finally gets coveted contract – now he wants the belt

ONE Championship: Liu Mengyang believes win over Tawanchai is ‘turning point of my career’

ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Christian Lee calls out UFC’s Islam Makhachev after a comeback for the ages

Christian Lee celebrates with his two titles. Photos: ONE Championship

Kiamrian Abbasov drops Christian Lee. Photo: ONE Championship

Christian Lee finishes Kiamrian Abbasov. Photo: ONE Championship

Christian Lee walks off after finishing Kiamrian Abbasov. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Chatri has ‘no interest’ in trading for UFC’s Petr Yan, co-promoting with Bellator

Chatri Sityodtong at the ONE on Prime Video 4 press conference in Singapore. Photos: ONE Championship

Anatoly Malykhin (left) was set to face Arjan Bhullar in September.

ONE Championship: Saygid Izagakhmaev warns Christian Lee ‘focus on me’, and not UFC’s Islam Makhachev

Saygid Izagakhmaev (centre) and Islam Makhachev (right) speak with Shinya Aoki’s corner after his win at ONE 163 in Singapore. Photos: ONE Championship

Saygid Izagakhmaev finishes Shinya Aoki with ground and pound at ONE 163 in Singapore.

Saygid Izagakhmaev hugs Shinya Aoki after beating him at ONE 163 in Singapore.

ONE Championship: ‘young lion’ Stephen Loman signifies changing of the guard for Filipino MMA ahead of Manila return

Stephen Loman prepares to fight Bibiano Fernandes at ONE on Prime Video 4 in Singapore. Photos: ONE Championship. 

Stephen Loman ground-and-pounds Bibiano Fernandes at ONE on Prime Video 4 in Singapore.

Stephen Loman lands a head kick on Bibiano Fernandes at ONE on Prime Video 4 in Singapore.

John Lineker (left) and Fabricio Andrade touch gloves before their bantamweight title fight, which ended in a no contest after an inadvertent low blow. 

ONE Championship: Chatri blasts ‘unprofessional’ Itsuki Hirata, is ‘not mad’ at Ham Seo-hee for refusing fight

Itsuki Hirata at the ONE Championship 163 ceremonial weigh-ins. Photos: ONE Championship

Ham Seo-hee at the ONE Championship 163 ceremonial weigh-ins.

Ham Seo-hee (right) and Itsuki Hirata face off at the ONE Championship 163 ceremonial weigh-ins.

ONE Championship 163: Petchtanong claims kickboxing gold with split win over Hiroki Akimoto

Petchtanong celebrates his bantamweight kickboxing title win over Hiroki Akimoto. 

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Lee has ‘no idea’ how he survived first round knockdown by Kiamrian Abbasov in ONE on Prime Video 4 main event in Singapore
New welterweight king joins rarefied air as two-division champ, and sets his sights on ‘biggest MMA fight world has ever seen’ vs Makhachev



Christian Lee has ‘no idea’ how he survived first round at ONE Championship on Prime Video 4, but the new welterweight king sets sights on ‘biggest MMA fight world has ever seen’.
