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Turkish MMA star Alibeg Rasulov made a shocking promotional debut via decisive victory over top contender Ok Rae Yoon in the main event of ONE Fight Night 23.
Inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium, Rasulov went full five rounds to snatch the 'W' from Ok's hands. However, as Rasulov failed to pass his pre-fight hydration test in time, he was ineligible to win the ONE interim lightweight MMA world title.
Regardless of the small setback, Rasulov is already looking forward to the next challenge in his career: taking on reigning king Christian Lee and returning home with the lightweight MMA belt on his shoulder.
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In the post-fight interviews, he explained that this is not about who he's fighting, but more to what he is fighting for:
"It's not about Christian Lee. It's all about the belt. I'm going to face anyone who holds the belt and I'm going to get this belt."
Although nothing is set in stone for now, Rasulov will indeed be waiting for the call from ONE's matchmakers regarding his next step towards the coveted golden belt.
Almost a perfect ONE debut for Alibeg Rasulov
Alibeg Rasulov has to be happy with his recent accomplishments in defeating Ok Rae Yoon at ONE Fight Night 23.
However, it does come with a slight imperfection, as he was unable to claim the ONE interim lightweight MMA world title in the main event after failing the hydration test prior to his match.
Only the former lightweight king Ok was eligible for the interim belt, as the co-main event was bumped up into the main event, with a title added into the mix, after Jackie Buntan's withdrawal from her ONE women's strawweight kickboxing championship against Anissa Meksen due to an injury.
Indeed, Rasulov will try to put this behind next time out, where he can continue building after his big debut victory in the Lumpinee Stadium.
The replay for ONE Fight Night 23 is available on demand on Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
