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ONE lightweight and welterweight world champion Christian Lee had quite an amazing 2022. 'The Warrior' had two high-profile world championship fights and finished both opponents in magnificent fashion.
He opened the year in August by avenging his controversial loss to Korean sensation Ok Rae Yoon in 2021. The Singaporean-American assassin absolutely battered Ok inside two rounds to reclaim his ONE lightweight world title.
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Then, just three months later, at ONE on Prime Video 4, Christian Lee did the unthinkable and moved up to welterweight to challenge Kiamrian Abbasov for the strap. After weathering an early storm, 'The Warrior' came back to wear out 'Brazen', eventually finishing him via TKO in the fourth round.
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Preparing for an entire year to reclaim your world title, get the job done, and then move up 15 pounds to win another world title is a task made for legends. It does, however, take a toll on one's body and mind - even for a remarkable fighter like Lee.
After winning his second belt at ONE Prime on Prime Video 4, Lee spoke to the press about his plans for the immediate future of his fighting career:
"I definitely don't plan on moving back to featherweight. If I do claim the third world title, it'll only be going up. Right now, I've got my hands really full with two world titles. So I don't plan on abandoning the lightweight division just yet. My next fight is going to be down at lightweight, defending the belt. But for now, I've taken two fights within the last three months. I'm ready to take a little break, take some time off, and then get right back to work."
Christian Lee, more than most people, deserves that break. He managed to become one of the best in the world in two weight classes and did so in just three months. Give this man a jet and fly him out for some tourist beach getaway.
Watch his full post-fight interview below:
Christian Lee vs. Kiamrian Abbasov play-by-play
In the opening moments of the contest, Abbasov came out very aggressively, seemingly trying to overwhelm Lee with power and size. 'The Warrior', true to his nickname, tried to stand his ground, but without much success.
After halting Abbasov's momentum by scoring a takedown and slowing the pace, Christian Lee ate a right hand from 'Brazen' that dropped him. Lee, with shades of his legendary sister Angela Lee, showed his iron heart and fought through the blizzard that was Abbasov emptying his tank to get the finish.
Late in the round, Lee secured another takedown to survive the storm.
The complexion of the fight, however, changed in the second round. After seemingly emptying his gas tank in the previous round, Abbasov's pace visibly began to slow. Lee started to lead the dance and was constantly hunting to finish 'Brazen', who was still landing heavy shots despite slowing down.
By the fourth frame, Christian Lee has pretty much pulled away, giving the onus to Abbasov to come back and make the fight more competitive. 'The Warrior' then shot for another takedown and took mount position, ending the fight via vicious elbows from above. The performance also won him a $50,000 performance bonus.
