Kiamrian “Brazen” Abbasov’s top priority in ONE Championship is to become a two-division World Champion. He will make a slight detour from that mission to defend his ONE Welterweight World Title against lightweight king Christian “The Warrior” Lee in the main event of ONE on Prime Video 4 on Saturday, November 18. However, the Kyrgyz star reveals he still has the middleweight crown in his sights.
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“Yes, absolutely [I’m still keen to return to middleweight]. The division still looks very exciting to me. It is stacked with great names, full of great strikers, people who had many ups and downs in their careers. I will give them some surprises in the future,” Abbasov said.
Kiamrian Abbasov won’t bow down to failures
“Brazen” moved up a weight class to challenge divisional king Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder earlier this year, but he succumbed to an arm-triangle choke early in the third frame of the World Title tussle. He may have failed in his first attempt at a second crown, but the 29-year-old thinks the loss broadened his views on what he needed to change in his skill set.
“When I was moving up a level [to middleweight], I lacked some skills, which I am working hard on now,” Abbasov said.
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“Brazen’s” upcoming battle with Lee has been a further excuse to develop and work on his arsenal, and he admits that he will take nothing for granted against the Singaporean-American superstar, who will be chasing two-division glory when they square off.
Abbasov is all set for a win despite a well-matched opponent
On paper, both men stand a fair chance of leaving the Circle with the prestigious gold. According to Abbasov, the victor could be determined by who has the stronger mental game.
“Everybody has a chance. This is going to be the type of a fight where you cannot predict anything, and you definitely cannot underestimate your opponent, even if he is coming from the lightweight division,” the Novorosfight representative said.
“It is all about character, willpower, and determination. We will see if he can show it in the cage. I am ready.”
Fans in the U.S. and Canada can watch ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee live for free with an Amazon Prime subscription on Friday, November 18.