Adrian Lee admits there’s no time for thinking during a fight: “Your body knows what to do already”
After months of game planning for his next big fight, Adrian Lee knows that his mind will be at ease as his body takes over once inside the Circle.
In June, the 18-year-old phenom made his promotional debut at ONE 167 in Bangkok and quickly showed the world why he is one of the MMA's most highly touted prospects.
Squaring off with Italian standout Antonio Mammarella, Lee earned both his first win and his first finish under the ONE Championship banner, finishing Italy's Antonio Mammarella via submission less than two minutes into the second round.
Returning to the Circle on Friday, September 6, Adrian Lee will look to go 2-0 as he takes on Nico Cornejo at ONE 168: Denver.
Ahead of his sophomore appearance, Lee spoke with ESPN Honolulu to share some insight on his game plan for the upcoming clash and how he plans to approach his next big bout on martial arts' biggest global stage.
"Once I enter the cage, I'm mainly thinking about my game plan," Lee said. "But I'm not really thinking, 'cause once you put in the work, it's all just...your body knows what to do already."
Nico Cornejo plans to do his city proud against Adrian Lee at ONE 168: Denver
Certainly, all the eyes will be focused on Adrian Lee in The Mile High City. However, Nico Cornejo hopes he can shift that focus onto himself by spoiling the teen sensation's second promotional appearance.
Thus far, Cornejo is perfect in his mixed martial arts career, going 5-0 as an amateur before turning pro last year. Since then, the 35-year-old wrestler has bagged back-to-back knockouts in fights on the regional scene in Colorado.
Proudly representing the city of Pueblo — a mere 100 miles from the site of ONE 168 — Cornejo knows that he'll have a lot of eyes on him as ONE Championship invades The Centennial State for another history-making night of fights.
"I am the first fighter out of Pueblo to be signed to a major organization like ONE," Cornejo told the promotion. "I've already got a lot riding on me. I've already got a lot of eyes looking up to me, not only in my kids. I got our youth kids in our gym excited. I got their parents who already bought tickets for the fight."
Follow this link for tickets for ONE 168: Denver on September 6 at Ball Arena.