TLDR
- Christian Lee says he would dominate UFC double champion Islam Makhachev and wants a cross-promotion welterweight fight
- Lee defends his ONE Championship lightweight title against Tye Ruotolo on Friday in Bangkok, Thailand
- Ruotolo defeated Lee’s younger brother Adrian by submission in September 2025
- Lee predicts he will submit Ruotolo in round two despite the challenger’s elite grappling credentials
- Both Lee and Makhachev hold lightweight and welterweight titles in their respective organizations
Sources: sherdog.com | mmafighting.com | mmasucka.com
ONE Championship two-division titleholder Christian Lee says he would dominate UFC pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev if they ever fought. Lee made the statement ahead of his lightweight title defense against Tye Ruotolo on Friday in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lee told MMA Fighting he feels very confident that he is the best fighter in the world across any organization. The ONE Championship star said his goal would be to fight Makhachev for the welterweight belt if he could choose one fight.
ONE star Christian Lee is confident he would "dominate" fellow double champ Islam Makhachev:
"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."
(🎥 @guicruzzz) pic.twitter.com/4tXXIuCTiI
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 5, 2026
The Hawaiian fighter believes he can beat Makhachev using the same tactics the Dagestani uses against his opponents. Lee said he feels he can catch Makhachev on the feet, take him down, and do everything that Makhachev does to other people.
Makhachev holds both the lightweight and welterweight titles in the UFC and has won 17 straight fights since his only career loss in 2016. Lee holds lightweight and welterweight championships in ONE Championship, making them parallel double champions in their respective organizations.
Lee Seeks Revenge for Brother’s Loss
Christian Lee’s upcoming opponent Tye Ruotolo defeated his younger brother Adrian Lee in September 2025 via submission. Christian said he is getting this one back for his brother but emphasized it will be all business in the ring.
Ruotolo is a decorated jiu-jitsu competitor and ONE grappling champion who has won both of his MMA fights by submission. Christian Lee claimed his brother was dealing with a back injury that prevented him from sparring before that fight.
Lee has trained with UFC star Max Holloway in Hawaii for his title defense. He holds an 18-4 record with 17 finishes and owns the most wins, most finishes, and most knockouts in ONE Championship history.
The champion rejected the idea that the fight is a simple striker versus grappler matchup. Lee said he believes he is a better MMA fighter everywhere, including in the grappling area.
Champion Predicts Second-Round Submission
Lee made a specific prediction for how the fight will end. He expects to frustrate and break Ruotolo’s will over the course of five rounds and does not think the challenger will last that long.
The champion predicted a round two finish by submission against one of the greatest submission grapplers of his generation. Lee said the key is to show Ruotolo the difference between MMA and jiu-jitsu.
Ruotolo enters the fight undefeated with an 11-0 ONE Championship record and a 2-0 MMA mark. A win would make him the first fighter to hold a ONE World Title in both grappling and MMA.
Lee has not defended his welterweight title since winning it in 2022. He has only lost once in his past 11 fights under the ONE Championship banner, knocking out all but one of his opponents.
The Inner Circle 37 takes place Friday at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will stream live on live.onefc.com beginning at 6:30 a.m. ET.
