Fighting Saygid Izagakhmaev would "be a similar fight" to Khabib Nurmagomedov, says Christian Lee
At ONE on Prime Video 4, ‘The Warrior’ Christian Lee will face his biggest fight and test to date. The lightweight champion will move up a weight class to challenge welterweight world champion Kiamrian Abbasov and attempt to become a two-weight world champion.
In a recent interview with The MMA Superfan, one of the greatest of all time was brought up in relation to a potential match-up with ‘The Warrior’.
Whilst Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement will stop a fight with Lee from ever materializing, the ONE lightweight world champion suggested that he could find a similar challenge from a different opponent.
Saygid Izagakhmaev, who trains under 'The Eagle', was brought up as a fighter that Christian Lee could potentially face. Lee stated:
"I think, of course with Saygid training under Khabib he’s going to carry a similar style, I think that everyone in their camp is going to be working with similar strengths. They’re gonna have similar entries to their wrestling, it would be a similar fight."
He added:
"Of course, with Khabib being everyone’s mentor, he’s the number one guy. But every one in his camp is going to be solid wrestlers and I think they’re gonna carry a similar skillset."
Watch the full clip below:
Since his retirement, Khabib Nurmagomedov has adopted the role of his late father in bringing through the next wave of contenders with dreams of dominating the sport like he did.
Izagakhmaev will face the legend, Shinya Aoki, one day after Christian Lee challenges Kiamrian Abbasov. This could set up a fight between the two if they’re both successful in their respective bouts.
“It’s always been a goal of mine” - Christian Lee on why he wants to become a two-division world champion
Christian Lee recaptured his lightweight world championship just three months ago. However, he was quickly preparing for his next challenge. At ONE on Prime Video 4, Lee will attempt to claim a second world championship when he faces the welterweight champion Kiamrian Abbasov.
With just three months between this fight and his rematch with Ok Rae Yoon, the odds are stacked against Lee. The lightweight champion will roll the dice whatever the risk with this opportunity to achieve a goal he has dreamed of since first stepping into a cage.
'The Warrior' told The MMA Superfan:
"Personally, it’s always been a goal of mine to become a double champ. Since I joined the promotion, since I started my career in MMA, my goal was first to become a world champion and second to become a double champion in two divisions."
Watch the clip below: