Christian “The Warrior” Lee is feeling confident ahead of his next World Title defense.
The ONE Lightweight World Champion is set to defend his belt against the division’s top-ranked contender, Iuri Lapicus, later this year.
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Lapicus is undefeated so far and holds a remarkable 100 percent finishing rate in his career.
On the very same night that Lee became the ONE Lightweight World Champion, Lapicus also showed his might as he submitted Thai superstar Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai in the third round of their mixed martial arts clash.
He continued that streak of dominance by submitting former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in just 67 seconds this past February.
Having seen the Team Petrosyan representative’s rapid rise to the top of the division, Lee is not underestimating his rival.
“He’s a dangerous, hungry young competitor. He is undefeated in his professional career, and I know he is riding off a great submission win over Gafurov,” the 21-year-old Singaporean athlete said.
“His confidence is going to be at an all-time high. I think, right now, he’s going to be feeling the best he has ever felt in his career so far.”
Despite the momentum on his opponent’s side, Lee believes his training and experience have honed a World Championship mindset that will give him the edge when they face off.
“When I was fighting at featherweight, I felt that I was the champion. When I moved to lightweight, I felt that I was the champion,” he continued.
“That’s just the mindset that I carry over into my training, which carries over into my fights. My mindset has always stayed the same – I was just able to bear the fruits of my hard work and training in my two most recent fights.”
2019 was the year of “The Warrior,” and it has been a huge confidence boost as Lee prepares for his upcoming match against Lapicus.
Lee first captured the ONE Lightweight World Title after a sensational KO of grappling legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in May 2019. Later in October, he defeated Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev via unanimous decision to earn the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Championship.
Lee believes his skills and experience will prove to be too much for the Moldovan warrior to overcome.
“I’m sure he is training his butt off, and he is willing to step up to the plate. I feel that I’m just deeper in every area. I’ve gone championship rounds, and I don’t think he can last five rounds in there with me,” Lee said.
“Most of his wins, most of his finishes, happen in the first round. I think he is still a little bit raw in that aspect. He is used to getting a quick finish over opponents who he can steamroll over. I will definitely be his biggest test to date and his toughest opposition.”
Despite his confidence in going the distance, the Evolve and United MMA representative is aiming for another quick finish.
“I don’t like to say these things too often because I don’t like to give anything away,” Lee said, “but it’s going to be a first-round finish.”
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