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No.4-ranked ONE lightweight contender Saygid Izagakhmaev wants his world title shot against the division’s kingpin, Christian Lee. After all, he just dismantled former world titleholder Shinya Aoki at ONE 163 last week and is on an unbeaten three-fight win streak inside the circle.
Lee, who became a two-division world champion at ONE on Prime Video 4, recently called out a Dagestani lightweight fighter. However, it’s not Saygid Izagakhmaev nor is it someone from the same promotion.
Turns out, ‘The Warrior’ wants the smoke against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
The Russian destroyer, who trains with the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, made an appearance at ONE 163 where he served as a cornerman for his teammate Izagakhmaev.
Shortly after Lee won his war against Kiamrian Abbasov, he entertained the idea of a cross-promotion match between the two world champions.
Word reached Saygid Izagakhmaev, who took offense to the double champ’s choice of opponent.
He told SCMP MMA’s Nic Atkin during his ONE 163 post-fight interview:
“I think Islam [Makhachev] has [Alexander] Volkanovski and Christian [Lee] has me. He needs to focus on me and there’s no reason for him to think about fighting Islam.”
Catch the full interview here:
For what it’s worth, Lee did not exactly ignore Izagakhmaev’s claims for a world title shot. In an earlier interview, the Singaporean-American hinted that the 28-year-old should be the next challenger for his 170-pound belt if he gets past Aoki.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to deny Saygid Izagakhmaev’s bid after his resounding performance against the Japanese legend. ‘Tobikan Juban’ is still a hard fight for anybody in the division, but the Eagles MMA product made it look easy.
The grappling savant proved that his striking is also elite by peppering Aoki with combinations and landing a laser right hand that violently dropped his opponent to the floor.
Saygid Izagakhmaev finished the job by raining down hellfire on a dazed Aoki and even collected a sweet $50,000 bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
Christian Lee says he’s not afraid to grapple with Saygid Izagakhmaev’s teammate Islam Makhachev
After conquering a second weight class, it’s only normal for Christian Lee to broaden his horizons and seek even bigger challenges.
Islam Makhachev’s surprise appearance at ONE 163 certainly opened the floodgates about the possibility of the pair figuring in a battle for supremacy.
Lee, for one, wants to assert his claim as one of the best fighters in the world by taking away Makhachev’s aura of invincibility. ‘The Warrior’ said he’ll even take on the feared grappler in his own game.
Lee said during his ONE on Prime Video 4 post-fight interview:
“Absolutely. I feel confident grappling with anybody in the world. And if the two of us were to face off, I think it would make for a great fight. Definitely exciting for the fans. And I would not be afraid to bring it to the ground to grapple him.”
