Home

Dagi Arslanaliev is eager to try and level the score with Christian “The Warrior” Lee once the former divisional king gets his rematch with ONE Lightweight World Champion Ok Rae Yoon out of the way.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Lee and Ok will square off for a second time in the main event of ONE 160 on August 26, after the controversial end to their first meeting in September last year.

When that rivalry finishes writing its latest chapter, Arslanaliev hopes to get his own answer against the Singaporean-American star.

“It needs to be done so I can close this chapter. I’m probably still not over this fight. There is a question mark over it in my head,” he said.

“I want a rematch with Christian Lee. I have nothing against him as a person. He is a strong competitor. But the idea of this rematch keeps me motivated.”

Arslanaliev crossed paths with Lee in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Championship Final in October 2019.

Arslanaliev was not happy with the decision in the first Christian Lee contest

After punching his ticket to the final with two quick first-round finishes against Amir Khan and Ev Ting, the Turkish star couldn’t find a way past the former ONE Lightweight World Champion’s dangerous arsenal.

Lee was handed a unanimous decision win, but Arslanaliev believes that there is more to the story.

Since returning to winning ways against Timofey Nastyukhin in December last year and earning the #2 spot in the lightweight division ranking, the 27-year-old is ready to face “The Warrior” once again.

Read More – “So Effortless” – Fans Say the Same Thing as Demetrious Johnson Displays Hidden Talent at the Cost of Former Rival

That said, he’d also be open to taking on Ok, should he score a second victory over Lee in their main event tussle on August 26.

Dagi Arslanaliev sees rematches as an answer to close decisions

And when it comes to the rematch itself, the Istanbul-based fighter made it clear that, although he saw the first meeting the same way as the judges did, this rematch is needed to settle who deserves to call themselves the true king of the stacked division.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“I want to fight the winner. Their styles are interesting, but both have serious gaps. Christian can push forward, he is good at putting on pressure, executing aggressive assaults, but he is not perfect too – I made him suffer quite a bit during our bout,” Arslanaliev said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“I know that many people think it was a controversial fight, but I always agree with the judges’ decision. If both athletes think the situation is not clear, maybe they need to have a rematch and put all chatter to rest.”

Read More – ‘Angry’ Rodtang Jitmuangnon Has ‘Mental Lapses’ Offers ONE on Prime Video 1 Opponent Savvas Michael – “He Does a Lot of Mistakes”