“Don’t mess with wrestlers from Colorado” - Nico Cornejo warns Adrian Lee ahead of their clash at ONE 168

Nico Cornejo is dead set on successfully defending home turf when he makes his ONE Championship debut next month in the United States against teen phenom Adrian Lee.

The noted wrestler from Pueblo, Colorado, is featured in a lightweight MMA clash against Lee at ONE 168 in Denver on Sept. 6 and is determined to represent the wrestling community in his home state well.

'The Steel City Kid' told ONE Championship in an interview ahead of his promotional debut:

"I don't have the accomplishments of a state wrestler, anything like that. But man, if it's one thing you know for sure, you know Colorado wrestlers, we're tough. Don't mess with wrestlers from Colorado."

ONE 168 will be the third professional fight for Nico Cornejo, 35. He won both of his matches prior to joining ONE Championship and was also undefeated in the amateur ranks.

Looking to trip him in his maiden outing is Lee, 18, who is making his second appearance in the promotion after his impressive debut back in June, where he won by submission in the opening round over Antonio Mammarella of Australia.

ONE 168: Denver will take place at the Ball Arena, home of the NBA's Denver Nuggets, and airs live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Tickets for the event are available for purchase on Ticketmaster.

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Nico Cornejo excited to be competing in ONE Championship

Nico Cornejo is happy and excited to be competing in ONE Championship, which he has likened to the Olympics for the various offerings it presents fights fans.

He spoke about it in his recent guesting on 9News in Denver, underscoring how ONE is truly representative of its label as the "Home of Martial Arts" while also reiterating his commitment to providing a great performance in his promotional debut at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 against Adrian Lee.

The Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu/Warriors Built MMA representative said:

"This is an awesome event, you know. ONE Championship is like the Olympics. You get everything from mixed martial arts. I know the other top competitors, they just focus on MMA. But in ONE Championship, you get it all, you get Muay Thai, you get kickboxing, you get MMA, and you also get grappling."

Nico Cornejo added:

"It is a huge accomplishment. A lot of big shoes to fill and, you know, I just hope this opportunity for me helps to pave the way for any athlete growing up in Pueblo [Colorado]."

Check out what he had to say below:

The Lee-Cornejo fight is one of five MMA clashes on offer at ONE 168: Denver.