Christian Lee Credits ONE Rules For Explosive Finishing Style After Alibeg Rasulov Rematch
Christian Lee’s second-round demolition of previously unbeaten Alibeg Rasulov at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on November 16 provided the decisive conclusion their first encounter lacked, where the 27-year-old two-division ruler weathered an early storm before showcasing the surgical precision and finishing instinct that’s produced 17 stoppages across 18 career victories.
The Turkish challenger surprised Lee by shooting for takedowns rather than engaging in striking exchanges, yet the Prodigy Training Center representative demonstrated composure on the mat before returning to his feet and systematically breaking down Rasulov with strikes. When the desperate grinder shot for another takedown early in round two after getting tagged, Lee sprawled and locked in a tight D’Arce choke before unleashing the grounded knees that forced referee intervention.
That finishing sequence exemplifies why Lee thrives under ONE Championship’s Global MMA Rule Set, where knees to grounded opponents remain legal rather than prohibited. The lightweight king believes those rules create the purest form of mixed martial arts, allowing fighters to prove their supremacy across all disciplines without artificial restrictions compromising the sport’s fundamental purpose.
“I love the ONE Championship rule set. I think that knees to a grounded opponent is MMA in the purest sense. The sport was designed to figure out who the best fighter in the world is across any discipline,” Lee said. “And I believe with mixed martial arts, you’re able to prove that you’re the best fighter in the world. And with the martial arts, with the ONE Championship rule set, it allows me to put that on perfectly, so I’m very grateful for it.”
The Rasulov rematch settles unfinished business from their anticlimactic first encounter that ended via inadvertent eye poke, yet Lee’s attention immediately shifted toward his dual-division responsibilities. The champion promises increased activity throughout 2026, with defending his welterweight gold taking priority once a clear contender emerges in either weight class.
“I’m staying active in both divisions. And once I get word on who the clear contender is, then I’ll be getting ready for that division. I do have my eyes set on the welterweight division, and right now I’ll be waiting on who the next opponent is,” Lee said.
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