ONE Championship two-division titleholder Christian Lee has set his sights firmly on the pinnacle of the combat sports world, declaring that he believes he would completely "dominate" Ultimate Fighting Championship pound-for-pound king and reigning titleholder Islam Makhachev.
As one of the most decorated and dominant forces under the ONE Championship banner, Lee has carved out a legendary career filled with spectacular finishes and championship gold. Now, the dual-weight titleholder has turned his ambitions toward the global leader in mixed martial arts, openly expressing his desire to test his elite skill set against the formidable Dagestani champion in a blockbuster cross-promotional matchup that has captured the attention of the global MMA community.
While speaking candidly in a recent interview, Lee made it clear that while he holds a deep respect for what Makhachev has achieved inside the Octagon, he possesses unwavering confidence in his own abilities. According to the ONE Championship star, a clash between the two elite champions would not only be competitive, but it would ultimately end in his favor across all facets of mixed martial arts combat, whether standing on the feet or grappling on the canvas.
Why Christian Lee believes he can beat Islam Makhachev
The foundation of Christian Lee’s bold assertion lies in his steadfast belief that he is currently the finest mixed martial artist on the planet, regardless of promotional affiliation. Acknowledging the stellar resume and the elite-level competition that Makhachev has conquered under the UFC banner, Lee maintains that his own unique blend of elite wrestling, relentless pressure, and dynamic striking would present an entirely new and insurmountable challenge for the UFC champion.
"I feel very confident that I’m the best fighter in the world across any organization," Lee told MMA Fighting when discussing his future career ambitions and dream matchups. "So, my goal, if I could choose one fight, would be to fight Islam right now. I would go for the belt. He is a double champ, just like me, but in the UFC. He is proven; he has fought everyone. But he has only fought everyone in the UFC. He hasn’t fought people outside. So, if I could line up a cross-promotional fight, I would want the Islam fight right now."
Lee’s perspective highlights a common debate among combat sports purists regarding how elite fighters from rival organizations would match up against one another. While Makhachev has established himself as arguably the most dominant pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC by defeating some of the top lightweight contenders and champions in the world, Lee points out that the Dagestani grappler has spent his entire elite career exclusively tested within the parameters of the UFC. Lee envisions a scenario where his own versatility would neutralize Makhachev’s famous grappling heavy style while opening up opportunities for a decisive victory.
"I feel like I can catch him on the feet," Lee continued, detailing his tactical breakdown of a potential matchup. "I feel like I can take him down, dominate him, do everything that he does to other people."
The bold declaration underscores the fierce competitive spirit that has defined Lee’s professional journey through the martial arts world. Holding a professional mixed martial arts record of 18 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no-contest, Lee has consistently taken on the toughest challenges available to him, cementing his legacy as a generational talent who is never afraid to voice his championship aspirations.
Before any potential cross-promotional superfight could ever materialize, however, Christian Lee has pressing business to attend to within his home organization. The double-champ is scheduled to step back under the bright lights on November 5 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, where he will put his lightweight world championship on the line against high-level jiu-jitsu specialist Tye Ruotolo, who enters the contest holding an undefeated 2-0 record in MMA competition.
The upcoming defense marks another significant chapter in Lee’s career, especially as he continues his active status within ONE Championship. Lee has not defended his welterweight title since capturing it in a sensational performance back in 2022, and his return to action against a dangerous submission specialist like Ruotolo serves as an important reminder of the elite competition he regularly faces.
Cross-promotional matchups in modern mixed martial arts remain rare and notoriously difficult to coordinate given the complex promotional landscapes, exclusive contracts, and broadcast partnerships that govern the sport. However, fighters expressing public interest in testing themselves against cross-organizational champions continues to be a driving force for fan engagement and dream-match discussions.
As Lee prepares for his upcoming title defense in Bangkok, his provocative comments regarding Islam Makhachev have added an intriguing storyline to the global combat sports landscape. Whether the combat sports world will ever get to witness a historic clash between two of the most dominant dual-weight champions of this era remains to be seen, but Christian Lee has made it abundantly clear that if the opportunity ever arises, he is more than ready to step into the cage and attempt to prove his claim on the global stage.
