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James Goyder

Christian Lee’s long-awaited return to ONE Championship has been confirmed after it was announced he would be defending his lightweight title at ONE 169 against Alibeg Rasulov.
Lee, who is also welterweight champion, did not fight at all in 2023 as he took some time out following the death of his younger sister, Victoria.
Lee holds a record of 17-4 and will be defending a belt he has won twice. He last suffered defeat in 2021 when lost his lightweight title to Korean fighter Ok Rae Yoon, but immediately regained it in their rematch.
A potential third fight has been billed but Ok lost to Rasulov last weekend, which made the Turkish-born, Russian fighter the No 1 contender in the lightweight division.
There was some concern over whether Rasulov would have been eligible to fight Lee for the title as failed weight and hydration tests prevented him from earning the interim belt with his win.

But the ONE Championship matchmakers decided this had to happen and it will take place in Atlanta on November 8.
Rasulov comes into the fight with a 14-0 professional record and the fight will take place at the 16,000 capacity State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks – ONE Championship’s first visit to Atlanta and third event hosted in the United States.
In the bill’s main event, Anatoly Malkykhin is set to defend his heavyweight title against Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane, while Prajanchai PKSaenchaigym will defend his featherweight Muay Thai title against Jo Nattawut in a rematch.
Meanwhile, Christian Lee’s teenage brother Adrian has been added to the ONE 168 card and will take on local favourite Nicholas Cornejo in Denver.
It means he will become the first member of his famous fighting family to fight in the United States, two months before his brother’s bout with Rasulov.
As well as Christian and Adrian, their sister Angela was the reigning atomweight champion when she retired last year, while Victoria was an undefeated atomweight title contender before her death.


ONE Championship: Adrian Lee was ‘really nervous’ during debut, despite submission win

Veteran fighter John Lineker already building a future outside ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Liam Harrison ready to ‘enjoy’ long-awaited battle with Seksan in Denver

ONE Championship: Superlek not impressed by Jonathan Haggerty ahead of title showdown

ONE Championship

Christian Lee set for long-awaited ONE Championship return to face Alibeg Rasulov

Christian Lee is making his return to ONE Championship to fight in Atlanta at ONE 169. Photo: ONE Championship

Adrian Lee will continue his family tradition of fighters with his second ONE Championship bout at Atlanta. Photo: ONE Championship

Alibeg Rasulov rues failed test which cost him ONE Championship title despite win

Alibeg Rasulov won the fight against Ok Rae Yoon but failed to win the belt after failing a hydration test. Photo: ONE Championship

Alibeg Rasulov overcame Ok Rae Yoon to become the No 1 contender in the lightweight division. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Rasulov wants Lee fight after gruelling win over Ok Rae-yoon

Alibeg Rasulov connects with a left on Ok Rae-yoon during their lightweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 23 in Bangkok. Photo: ONE Championship

Nico Carrillo lands a hard left during his fight against Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 23. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Christian Lee says there were ‘no contenders’ for title belts in absence

Christian Lee (right) hugs younger brother Adrian after the latter won his professional debut against Antonio Mammarella in Bangkok last Saturday. Photo: ONE Championship

Christian Lee (right) was in the corner for his younger brother, Adrian. Photo: ONE Championship

Christian Lee could defend his lightweight belt at ONE 168 in Denver on September 6. Photo: ONE Championship 

ONE Championship: Carrillo not keen to sit and wait for bantamweight title shot

Nico Carrillo connects with a hard left during his fight against Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 23. Photo: ONE Championship

Sport

Martial Arts

Lee, who is also welterweight champion, did not fight at all in 2023 as he took some time out


Lee, who is also welterweight champion, did not fight at all in 2023 as he took some time out, while Rasulov is the No 1 contender after his victory over Ok Rae Yoon.
