“I don’t think they’re wrong” - Bampara Kouyate on being the ‘underdog’ in clash with Luke Lessei
Frenchman Bampara Kouyate is considered the underdog in his return to action this week. He, however, is embracing it, looking at it as further motivation to come up with a winning performance.
The 29-year-old Team Mehdi Zatout representative will be making his second ONE Championship outing at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs Rasulov on July 5 in Thailand. He will go up against American Luke Lessei in a featherweight Muay Thai clash.
It is part of the 11-fight offering taking place at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and airing live and for free to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Speaking to Sportskeeda MMA ahead of his return to action, Bampara Kouyate addressed the take of not a few that he is the underdog against 'The Chef' in their scheduled clash, saying:
"I don't think they're wrong, because they don't really know me, and my last performance wasn't really good for me. But, it is what it is, it's a game. Sometimes you are the underdog, you are a challenger, it's just like that."
Bampara Kouyate made his promotional debut in October last year but lost to Shakir Al-Tekreeti of Iraq by unanimous decision. It is something he is raring to redeem himself from at ONE Fight Night 23.
Out to frustrate him is Lessei, who won his last fight in February over fellow American fighter Eddie Abasolo.
Luke Lessei-Bampara Kouyate clash one of five Muay Thai matches at ONE Fight Night 23
The featherweight battle between Luke Lessei and Bampara Kouyate is one of five Muay Thai matches on offer at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs Rasulov on Prime Video on July 5 in Thailand.
Also engaging in top-notch action in the 'art of eight limbs' in the event are Scottish knockout artist Nico Carrillo and veteran Thai fighter Saemapetch Fairtex in a bantamweight Muay Thai match, which will serve as the co-headliner of the event,
Both are coming off impressive victories in their previous matches and are looking to build on their winning momentum.
Also featured at ONE Fight Night 23 are the flyweight Muay Thai joust between Russian Ali Saldoev and Thai Black Panther; strawweight clash between Aliff Sor Dechapan (Malaysia/Thailand) and Ellis Badr Barboza (United Kingdom); and bantamweight battle of Alexey Balyko of Russia and Stefan Korodi of Ireland.