"He doesn't allow you to take him down" - Alibeg Rasulov believes Ok Rae Yoon will be an absolute unit in grappling exchange
Alibeg Rasulov isn't overlooking Ok Rae Yoon's defensive grappling skills. Next Friday, July 5, will be a special moment in Rasulov's fighting career, as he's scheduled to make his ONE Championship debut.
The 31-year-old Turkish lightweight has solidified himself as a top prospect by establishing a professional MMA record of 14-0, including 10 wins inside the distance.
Rasulov won't waste any time under the ONE banner, as he's been matched up against Ok, a former ONE lightweight MMA world champion with the division's interim crown on the line.
During an interview with ONE, the promotional newcomer had this to say about his upcoming opponent at ONE Fight Night 23:
"His advantage is his stand-up. He mostly fights standing and he doesn't allow you to take him down. He is a good defensive wrestler."
ONE Fight Night 23 will take place inside the legendary combat sports venue of Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
The July 5 event featuring Ok Rae Yoon vs Alibeg Rasulov can be seen live and for free by North American and Canadian viewers with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Can Alibeg Rasulov earn a lightweight MMA title shot in his ONE Championship debut?
Most promotional newcomers don't have an opportunity to quickly earn a ONE Championship title shot.
With that said, Alibeg Rasulov isn't an average ONE debutant, as he's looked like a future world champion during his undefeated professional MMA run of fourteen consecutive wins.
More importantly, ONE lightweight MMA world champion Christian Lee has claimed he's keeping a close eye on Ok Rae Yoon vs. Rasulov, as the winner will earn a unification bout against him.
Lee hasn't fought since securing a fourth-round TKO against Kiamrian Abbasov in November 2022 to claim the welterweight gold.
The 26-year-old has recently confirmed he's ready to continue his legendary MMA career.
Watch the fight-ending sequence of Lee vs. Abbasov below: