“I'm definitely going to be testing the age gap” - Nico Cornejo says his experience will come in handy against Adrian Lee
ONE Championship newcomer Nico Cornejo believes experience could be the difference-maker when he meets 18-year-old sensation Adrian Lee. On Friday, Sept. 6, 'The Steel City Kid' will make his promotional debut as part of a stacked ONE 168: Denver lineup in The Mile High City.
Undefeated as both an amateur and a professional mixed martial artist, Cornejo will look to land the biggest win of his career when he meets one of the sport's most exciting prospects.
Cornejo, 17 years older than Adrian Lee, suggested during a recent interview with MMA UK that the wide age gap could be a deciding factor between the two unbeaten fighters. He said:
"Adrian Lee, he's very young, you know. He's only 18, I'll be 35 in two weeks, I have a kid two years younger than him. So I'm definitely going to be testing the age gap there for sure."
Going 5-0 an as amateur, Corenjo made the move to pro MMA in 2023 and quickly scored back-to-back finishes on the regional scene in Colorado.
Adrian Lee could end up being the best in his legendary family
Though Nico Cornejo may have a significant advantage when it comes to age —depending on how you look at it — he's still in for a very tough test when he meets a fighter backed by two of the greatest competitors in ONE Championship history.
Adrian comes from a long line of combat sports royalty, chief among them being current ONE lightweight and welterweight MMA world champion Christian Lee and former atomweight queen Angela Lee, who retired from the sport in 2023 after reigning over her division for more than seven years.
But despite all their success, there are many— including Christian Lee — who believe that Adrian Lee has what it takes to be the absolute best of them.
Who leaves with a big win and their 'O' intact when MMA's biggest prospect squares off with a relative unknown determined to prove that he belongs in the spotlight?
Follow this link for tickets for ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 at Ball Arena.