"The hardest that I've ever trained" - Christian Lee raring to get back into action to remind everyone why he's the champ

ONE Championship fans have sorely missed two-division MMA world champion Christian Lee during his two-year layoff, and he is hungry to get back to where he left off.

A few days before he defends the lightweight MMA crown against Alibeg Rasulov at ONE Fight Night 26 on Friday, Dec. 6, 'The Warrior' told the Bangkok Post:

"I wouldn't say I'm frustrated, but I'm definitely itching to get back into that ring and to fight again. I've had a long camp. It was originally nine weeks and then got pushed back an extra four after the Atlanta card got changed. So for me, 13 week camp, I've been training the hardest that I've ever trained in my career, and at this point, I'm ready to get into that ring and show everyone what I've been training so hard for all this time."

Watch the entire interview below:

The 26-year-old took a break from competition in December 2022 after the tragic passing of his youngest sister, Victoria Lee, which also led to the temporary closure of family-owned gym United MMA.

But with the gym's recent reopening as Prodigy Training Center and Lee's desire to honor his sister's memory, the double-champion is ready to resume his combat sports career with a win inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

ONE Fight Night 26 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Christian Lee believes he has only gotten better during his layoff

Christian Lee, who also holds the welterweight MMA crown, explained in an interview on The Brian Campbell Experience that his time away from the circle inspired him to keep polishing his skills.

The Evolve MMA and Prodigy Training Center representative said:

"So the time off, I feel like I was able to improve my skills in every area and become a much better fighter overall."

Watch the entire interview: