Photo via ONE Championship PR
Christian Lee still hoping for a fight against former UFC-champion Eddie Alvarez
Former ONE lightweight champion Christian Lee discusses why he’d love a future fight against former UFC and Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez.
As he is preparing for his upcoming title rematch against Rae Yoon Ok at ONE Championship 160 on August 20. former champion Christian Lee has his sights set on a former champion in the future. Being one of the top names in the promotion, Lee is hoping to lockdown a matchup with former UFC and Bellator champion, Eddie Alvarez.
Speaking to South Morning China Post ahead of ONE Championship 160, Christian Lee opened up about his desire to fight Alvarez, who made ONE Championship his home after departing the UFC in 2018. Given the accolades and history of Alvarez, Lee gave him the title as a legend, and a fight against someone of that nature is something he’d love to make happen.
“I think it would be great to get a win over Eddie. He’s a very accomplished fighter and he’s won belts in multiple organizations, and he’s definitely going to go down as a legend in this sport. So definitely a fight I’d like to make happen.” (Via SCMP)
Alvarez has not competed for ONE Championship since April of 2021 when he lost to Rae Yoon Ok by unanimous decision. Despite no recent fight and coming off a loss, Christian Lee believes if he can get a win in the near future, and Lee can re-capture his title, then a fight between them could come together, especially as the promotion looks to grow in the United States market.
“I think so. [ONE] is trying to break into the U.S. market, Eddie is definitely a guy they want to go for a title. I would love to see him fight for the title. He’s put in a lot of work throughout his career and really, he’s in the later half of it, so if his last goal is to get a shot at the ONE championship belt, then hopefully he gets there. I’m sure Eddie will be on his way to a title shot soon, I know Eddie wants that belt.”
Before any fight between Christian Lee and Eddie Alvarez can become a possibility, both fighters have to get a victory, and Lee is not looking past his upcoming opponent.
“Once I get the belt back then we can talk about [Alvarez] but right now, I’ve got this fight ahead of me. Maybe we’ll cross paths in the future.”
A fight against the legendary Eddie Alvarez is without a question a big fight and opportunity for Christian Lee, but his current sole focus is getting his belt back and avenging his loss to Rae Yoon Ok. That opportunity will arise at ONE Championship 160 on August 26.
