“He’s next in line” - Christian Lee says he’ll fight Saygid Izagakhmaev if he beats Shinya Aoki

Multiple-time ONE lightweight world champion ‘The Warrior’ Christian Lee is ready to make history and become a rare two-division world champion by claiming the ONE welterweight world title from Kiamrian Abbasov this Friday night at ONE on Prime Video 4.

Even though he’s fully fixated on winning his second gold strap in the promotion, the Singaporean-American superstar has not overlooked the looming threats down at lightweight who are on the rise.

One such threat is Khabib Nurmagomedov protege Saygid Izagakhmaev, who has a tough fight against Japanese legend Shinya ‘Tobikan Judan’ Aoki coming up at ONE 163.

Lee feels Izagakhmaev is on the verge of earning an opportunity to challenge for his lightweight throne if the Russian can dispatch the Japanese jiu-jitsu and judo black belt in impressive fashion.

Speaking to Tom Taylor of SCMP MMA, Christian Lee acknowledged Izagakhmaev as a rising contender and stated that he’s had an eye on the Dagestani sensation since he joined ONE Championship not too long ago.

‘The Warrior’ said:

“I think that it’s most likely against one of the two new contenders. I think the match between Saygid and Shinya is going to be an important fight. I think if Saygid is able to win that match, I think he’s next in line for the world title.”

The other ‘contender’ Lee is talking about is the spectacular Halil Amir. Regardless, if indeed Izagakhmaev can defeat Aoki at ONE 163, a former lightweight world champion himself, then it will become increasingly clear who should challenge next for the belt.

First things first, however. Lee needs to focus on the task at hand, and that’s taking care of business against Kiamrian Abbasov. ONE on Prime Video 4 broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on Friday, November 18 (US primetime) and is free for fans in the United States and Canada with an active Prime Video subscription.

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Christian Lee aims for a quick finish at ONE on Prime Video 4

While there may be questions about Christian Lee being ready for the much heavier welterweight class, ‘The Warrior’ has no such doubts in his mind and remains confident that he will leave with two world titles after ONE on Prime Video 4.

During the press conference for the event, Lee bared his plans of not letting the fight go to the judges’ scorecards:

“Everytime I step into the ring, I’m looking to finish my opponents as quickly as I can. I’m ready to go all five, but I’m planning to get it done in three.”

With Kiamrian Abbasov missing weight, only Christian Lee will be eligible to win the belt on Friday. With his confidence soaring through the roof and riding all the momentum of his huge win over Ok Rae Yoon in his last outing, expect ‘The Warrior’ to do everything in his power to make his prediction come true.