“It's going to be a good little chess match” - Luke Lessei plans to show technical prowess against Bampara Kouyate

Although Luke Lessei is not really known as a chess player, he will enforce his strategies when he clashes with French rising star Bampara Kouyate.

Ahead of ONE Fight Night 23 from inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, 'The Chef' has been sharpening his tools and left nothing unturned to raise his hands at the end.

And on Friday, July 5, Lessei is confident that he would build his momentum and extend his ONE record to 2-1 by the time his appearance in the US primetime concluded.

Speaking to Violent Money TV recently, Lessei mentioned what he would bring into the crucial fight to defend his fifth position in the ONE featherweight Muay Thai ranks:

"I'm just going to be on my p's and q's. I know he's a Muay Femur fighter. I know he's quick, he's 6'2, I'm 6'2. So it's going to be a good little chess match."

He added:

"But I think I'm going to edge it out just because I work so hard. I got this, you know, Midwest mentality and yeah, I just believe in myself. We've been working really hard."

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch ONE Fight Night 23 live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Also, watch Lessei's full interview with Violent Money TV below:

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Tawanchai eager to test Luke Lessei's fighting style in a possible fight

ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai is looking for a new opponent, and he sets his eyes on US rising star Luke Lessei.

Recently, he successfully defended his belt at ONE 167 by beating fellow Thai star Jo Nattawut in a tight five-rounder action on June 7.

Nonetheless, even before the world title tilt took place, he had put his sight on another possible contender: the American wildman Lessei.

Tawanchai told Sportskeeda MMA:

“All I can say is I’m looking forward to fighting anyone. If I have to face Luke Lessi one day, he’ll need to have his American style of Muay Thai ready.”