Christian Lee says he’s a “much better fighter today” than when he claimed MMA welterweight gold against Kiamrian Abbasov

Christian Lee believes he's reached a whole new level in his mixed martial arts game. In an appearance on The Brian Campbell Experience, the reigning ONE lightweight and welterweight MMA world champion said he's in a better state than when he won his second world title.

Lee has been working on his game for almost two years due to a personal sabbatical, and he's ready to unleash his talents when he returns to defend his ONE lightweight MMA throne against Alibeg Rasulov at ONE Fight Night 26 on Dec. 6 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

The double-champ told Campbell:

"Even with the time off, I do feel like I'm a much better fighter today than I was the last time I stepped into the cage."

Lee had multiple reigns over the ONE lightweight MMA division since he beat Japanese legend Shinya Aoki for the title back in May 2019. He then moved up a weight class to face Kiamrian Abbasov for the then-vacant ONE welterweight MMA world championship at ONE on Prime Video 4 in November 2022.

Christian Lee's attempt at two-division supremacy, however, wasn't easy. 'The Warrior' had to weather a furious barrage from Abbasov before taking the ONE welterweight MMA world title via a fourth-round TKO.

The Singaporean-American star, however, had to take a personal hiatus following the tragic death of his youngest sister Victoria in December 2022.

Nevertheless, Lee is ready to step back into action and defend the lightweight MMA throne against the undefeated Rasulov in Bangkok. ONE Fight Night 26 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

Watch Lee's entire interview below:

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Christian Lee says time off didn't affect him heading into world title defense against Alibeg Rasulov

Christian Lee may have taken some time off, but he's confident he's still in the best shape possible ahead of his world title defense against Alibeg Rasulov at ONE Fight Night 26.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Lee said he has reached a higher level in how he operates, despite his hiatus.

He told ONE:

"In this fight, I definitely would like to show that I’m a better, faster, stronger, improved version of myself than the last time I stepped in there...And I want to prove that the time off didn’t affect me.”