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Muay Thai contender Luke Lessei expects a tough test from French standout Bampara Kouyate this Friday night.
After bagging his first win in ONE Championship via a split decision victory over Eddie Abasolo in February, the Dubuque, Iowa native will return to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok for what is sure to be an epic encounter with 33-win veteran Bampara Kouyate.
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Standing at 6'2" tall, Lessei has grown accustomed to fighting shorter opponents in the featherweight Muay Thai division. However, this time around, he'll square off with a man who is not only technically sound but just as tall.
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Sharing his thoughts on their impending clash inside the Mecca of Muay Thai, Luke Lessei told Sportskeeda MMA:
"He's pretty much the same size as me. I haven't fought a lot of people that are exactly the same height as me, I know he's a Muay Femur fighter, he's super technical, he's got good counter strikes, he's athletic, he's fit, and I know it's going to be a good and beautiful Muay Thai fight."
Luke Lessei ready to use Bampara Kouyate as another stepping stone up the rankings
Following his impressive performance against 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut in his promotional debut and the big win over Abasolo two months later, Lessei has found himself among the top-ranked contenders in the featherweight division. If he can bag a win over Kouyate, he'll take another big step toward a future title opportunity.
Of course, Kouyate will do everything he can to prevent that from happening as he desperately seeks his first win on martial arts' biggest global stage.
The Frenchman came up short in his inaugural appearance, surrendering a UD loss to Shakir Al-Tekreeti at ONE Fight Night 15 in October. Will Kouyate find his way into the win column in The Land of Smiles, or will Lessei continue his climb up the ranks?
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 23 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 5.
