Christian Lee awaits next world title challenger: "I do have my eyes set on the welterweight division"

Christian Lee isn't choosing between his two world championship belts – he's ready to defend both while his focus gravitates toward welterweight.

The 27-year-old two-division ONE MMA world champion addressed his future plans during the ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri post-event press conference on Sunday, Nov. 16, revealing that he intends to stay active across both the lightweight and welterweight divisions while waiting for clear contenders to emerge in each weight class.

"I'm staying active in both divisions. And once I get word on who the clear contender is, then I'll be getting ready for that division. I do have my eyes set on the welterweight division, and right now I'll be waiting on who the next opponent is," Christian Lee shared.

The Singaporean-American champion's comments came after he successfully defended his lightweight MMA crown with a crushing second-round TKO of previously undefeated Turkish challenger Alibeg Rasulov at Tokyo's Ariake Arena.

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The finish, secured via ground knees at 2:32 of Round 2, marked Lee's 17th career stoppage and earned him a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

With that lightweight defense now in the books, 'The Warrior' can turn his attention to the welterweight division, where he claimed the crown via a fourth-round TKO of Kiamrian Abbasov at ONE on Prime Video 4 in November 2022.

Fans who missed the live global pay-per-view broadcast of ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri can purchase the PPV replay ticket here.

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Roberto Soldic emerges as frontrunner for Christian Lee's welterweight world title

Though Christian Lee remains open to defending either championship depending on who emerges as the clear contender, one welterweight has already staked his claim immediately following Lee's lightweight title defense.

Croatian striking sensation Roberto Soldic wasted no time calling out the two-division king on social media after his victory over Rasulov, commenting on ONE Championship's Instagram post about Lee's latest triumph with a simple message:

"Congrats, let's go."

The callout makes strategic sense.

Soldic has been calling for a shot at the welterweight gold after he earned one of the most stunning knockouts of 2025 at ONE 171: Qatar in February.

The former two-division KSW champion sent Turkish bruiser Dagi Arslanaliev into the shadow realm just five seconds shy of the two-minute mark during their welterweight MMA clash inside the Lusail Sports Arena.

Could he do the same to Lee and become the ONE lightweight MMA world champion in the future?

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Edited by Aziel Karthak