Christian Lee says he would 'dominate' Islam Makhachev

ONE Championship’s two-division titleholder Christian Lee is confident he would beat UFC welterweight and lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a cross-promotional fight.

Lee, who holds belts at 155 and 170 pounds in ONE, told MMA Fighting that he believes he is the best fighter in the world across any organization.

“I feel very confident that I’m the best fighter in the world across any organization,” Lee said.

“My goal, if I could choose one fight, would be to fight Islam right now.”

Lee defends his welterweight title Friday in Thailand at The Inner Circle 37 against jiu-jitsu specialist Tye Ruotolo.

But his mind is already on a potential matchup with Makhachev, the UFC’s pound-for-pound king.

Lee said he would go straight for the UFC welterweight belt if given the chance.

“I’ll go for the welterweight belt,” Lee said.

“He’s a double champ, lightweight and welterweight, just like me but in the UFC, and he’s proven.”

Lee acknowledged Makhachev’s resume but pointed out a key difference.

“He’s fought everyone, but he’s only fought everyone in the UFC,” Lee said.

“He hasn’t fought people outside.”

Lee said he would want a cross-promotional fight with Makhachev at welterweight right now.

Makhachev has lost only once in MMA, a knockout defeat to Adriano Martins in 2016.

Since then, the Russian star has won 17 straight fights.

That streak set a new record for most consecutive victories in UFC history.

Lee has lost only once in his past 11 fights under the ONE banner.

He has knocked out all but one of those opponents.

Lee explained how he would beat a legend like Makhachev.

“Take the fight to him,” Lee said.

“I feel like I can catch him on the feet.”

“I feel like I can take him down, dominate him, do everything that he does to other people.”

Lee believes his style and skillset are different from what Makhachev has faced.

“I feel like I have a different style, different skillset, and I would really love to show that one day,” Lee said.

This is not the first time Lee has made bold claims about the top lightweights.

Five years ago, Lee said he was the No. 1 lightweight in the world, ranking himself above Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Now he puts himself over Nurmagomedov’s teammate and longtime training partner Makhachev.

Lee was asked whether Makhachev is a better fighter than Nurmagomedov.

“I think that they are different types of fighters,” Lee said.

“I don’t think that it’s fair to say that Islam is better than Khabib because Khabib retired because of a promise he made to his father.”

Lee said that decision must be respected.

“You have to respect that and know that he cut his own career short,” Lee said.

“He could have went on to defend his belt.”

“He could have had a much more extensive career, but he did that based on his honor.”

Lee noted that Makhachev is different now because he is still active and competitive.

“Growing up, Khabib was always the big bro, he was always the guy,” Lee said.

The callout comes amid ongoing tension between Makhachev and the UFC.

Makhachev recently declined a proposed January title defense against welterweight contender Carlos Prates at UFC 336.

Prates’ manager Lucas Lutkus told MMA Fighting that the UFC was frustrated by the decision.

Lutkus said the UFC had told Prates’ team to prepare for Makhachev and that the Brazilian immediately accepted.

“Islam said at the press conference that he wanted to fight before Ramadan,” Lutkus said.

“And the UFC had already told us that the plan was to have this fight at the first numbered event in January.”

Lutkus said the UFC later informed him that Makhachev would not be ready for January.

“The UFC called me last Tuesday and said, ‘Islam is out,’” Lutkus said.

“I asked if it was an injury, and they said Islam hadn’t given them a reason.”

Lutkus said Makhachev only said he would not be ready for January.

The change caught Prates’ camp off guard.

“I don’t think even the UFC really knows what happened,” Lutkus said.

“Anyway, something made him change his mind.”

Lutkus added that he is not naive enough to think Makhachev is afraid of Prates.

“I’m not naive enough to think Islam Makhachev is afraid to fight Carlos Prates, but something made him change his mind,” Lutkus said.

Lutkus also said the promotion was unhappy with Makhachev’s decision.