Luke Lessei Readies Himself For Main Event Battle With Mohamed Younes Rabah At ONE Fight Night 45
Luke Lessei has spent his latest training camp scattered across three different cities, and he insists the chaos has only sharpened him.
The 30-year-old American headlines a featherweight Muay Thai clash against Mohamed Younes Rabah at ONE Fight Night 45 on Friday, July 17, with the promotion once again trusting him with a marquee assignment. The bout streams live on Prime Video in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Lessei sees the booking as proof the promotion still rates him among the division’s elite.
“It just feels good that they want to have me for main event. I feel like they still have faith in me. They still know that I can be the American Muay Thai star,” Lessei said.
He brings eight victories and a 75 percent finishing rate into the contest, though the assignment follows a defeat.
His last outing ended in a loss to Nico Carrillo, who has since become the ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion.
“Obviously, Nico’s the best fighter in the world right now at my weight. So, there’s really no shame in losing to someone who’s the champion,” Lessei said.
“I think I can definitely learn from that and take things more seriously when it comes to refueling. I’m 30 now, that is such an important part of the game.”
Family life has traveled through camp with him as much as the training itself.
“My kids come to the gym with me now all the time. They come to the track with me when I’m working out. That doesn’t even enter my consciousness anymore because no matter what my circumstances are, I’ve learned over the past two to three years, divorce, moving, all these different things, I can’t wait for my life to calm down just for me to have the perfect training camp.”
Standing opposite him is Rabah, a 29-year-old Algerian who owns a near-flawless 15-1 record with one no contest.
Lessei expects fireworks from the opening bell.
“I just know that he’s going to throw heat. He’s going to be aggressive. It’s probably not going to be a slow fight, and that’s what I’m preparing for,” Lessei said.
He has even found symbolism in the matchup, getting a falcon tattoo to counter Rabah’s nickname, “The Eagle.”
“I’ve been preparing a lot for the power of ‘The Eagle.’ I just got a sick falcon tattoo. Eagle versus falcon, precision versus strength.”
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