Two-division MMA world champion Christian `The Warrior` Lee`s return to the ONE Championship circle concluded dramatically when his bout against Alibeg Rasulov was halted and ruled a no contest following an accidental eye poke.
Competing for the first time in two years, Lee made his long-awaited comeback defending his ONE lightweight MMA world title in the main event of ONE Fight Night 26, held at Thailand`s Lumpinee Stadium.
Lee, who holds the ONE Championship record for the most finishes with 16, aimed to add another victory to his impressive career and demonstrated a strong start to the fight.
In the opening round, the 26-year-old fighter from Singapore and America pressured the undefeated challenger Rasulov with effective jabs, powerful rights, and a variety of kicks and step-in knees.
While Lee utilized his striking game to set up takedown attempts, Rasulov, a seasoned Dagestani wrestler, successfully defended against these efforts and landed solid cross punches of his own.
Lee maintained his offensive output in the second round, but signs of fatigue began to show. Meanwhile, Rasulov connected more consistently with his jab, overhand right, and straight punches.
Towards the end of the second stanza, Lee unintentionally poked the 32-year-old Rasulov in the eye. After an examination by the ringside doctor, the fight could not continue and was officially declared a no contest.
Following the bout, Lee, who also holds the ONE welterweight MMA world championship, apologized for the accidental foul and stated his desire for a rematch against Rasulov in 2025.
Bastos defeats Kelly to reclaim women`s crown
While one contest ended inconclusively, another rivalry reached a definitive conclusion as ONE women`s atomweight submission grappling world champion Mayssa Bastos once again defeated Danielle Kelly.
The Brazilian champion, who narrowly took the title from Kelly last August, adopted a more aggressive approach from the start of their 10-minute rematch.
Bastos quickly secured a leg-drag pass and transitioned into a top position, although the American displayed effective defensive skills. Despite Bastos`s continuous search for submissions, Kelly managed to scramble into more advantageous positions midway through the match, applying pressure on her opponent.
In the final two minutes, Bastos increased her intensity, attempting a headlock and a D`Arce choke. Kelly successfully rolled out to escape, but Bastos immediately secured a leg and locked in a heel hook, scoring the only submission of the rematch just seconds before the final bell.
With this decisive move contributing to the scoring, Bastos was awarded a unanimous decision victory, successfully retaining her atomweight title.
What else happened? Full results from ONE Fight Night 26…
- ONE Lightweight MMA World Title: Christian Lee vs Alibeg Rasulov ended in a no contest
- Flyweight Muay Thai: Kongthoranee Sor Sommai defeats Nakrob Fairtex via unanimous decision
- ONE Women`s Atomweight Submission Grappling World Title: Mayssa Bastos defeats Danielle Kelly via unanimous decision
- Flyweight MMA: Reece McLaren defeats Jarred Brooks via split decision
- Catchweight (138.75 pounds) Muay Thai: Elias Mahmoudi defeats Denis Puric via knockout at 2:58 of round three
- Flyweight MMA: Yuya Wakamatsu defeats Gilbert Nakatani via unanimous decision
- Featherweight MMA: Shamil Gasanov defeats Halil Amir via unanimous decision
- Lightweight Submission Grappling: Cole Abate defeats Shinya Aoki via submission (heel hook) at 2:25 of round one
- Strawweight Kickboxing: Jonathan Di Bella defeats Rui Botelho via unanimous decision
- Lightweight Submission Grappling: Dante Leon defeats Bruno Pucci via submission (triangle armbar) at 2:01 of round one
- Strawweight Muay Thai: Thongpoon PK Saenchai defeats `Mini T` Danial Williams via TKO at 1:10 of round two
