ONE double-champ Christian Lee is feeling good after securing the welterweight world title, so much so that he's looking ahead to a possible crossover fight against Islam Makhachev. Yet, the UFC lightweight champion warned Lee of his next foe.
Rising Russian lightweight contender Saygid Izagakhmaev has his crosshairs fixated on Lee and his lightweight strap. His teammate Makhachev believes Izagakhmaev is Lee's biggest threat to his throne.
Makhachev recently took to Instagram to warn 'The Warrior' about looking past the Eagles MMA prodigy:
"Ha! You better focus on your next contender Saygid Izagakhmaev, and we will see how good you are"
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Izagakhmaev made quick work of Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki at ONE 163, finishing him in the opening round. Meanwhile, Lee found success in his venture to welterweight as he stopped Kiamrian Abbasov in the fourth round to attain two-division champ status.
Christian Lee planning to defend both of his ONE titles
While Christian Lee may have his eyes on a crossover bout with Islam Makhachev, he'll have to put that on the backburner due to the number of viable contenders waiting to challenge him at both lightweight and welterweight.
Regardless, the 24-year-old double-champ claims he felt great fighting up a weight class higher at ONE on Prime Video 4. He said in his post-fight interview:
“I felt great fighting at welterweight and it's very similar to fighting at lightweight. In the lightweight division, you have a roster full of very tough opponents. At welterweight, it's much of the same, except that they are 15 pounds heavier. For me, I feel that I'm competitive in both divisions, and I plan on doing so for the next few fights.”
Many expect Lee to return to lightweight to defend his world title against No.4-ranked contender Izagakhmaev. Other fresh foes within the division include Dagi Arslanaliev and Halil Amir.
Be sure to check back for an announcement pertaining to the double champ's next fight, as it will surely be a defense of one of his two world titles.
Check out Christian Lee's ONE on Prime Video 4 post-fight interview below: