With an unblemished 14-0 record and a reputation for breaking opponents through relentless pressure, Alibeg Rasulov has established himself as one of mixed martial arts’ most complete threats.
But unfinished business weighs heavily on the Turkish sensation. His most important fight ended without resolution when an accidental eye poke halted his clash with two-division king Christian “The Warrior” Lee at ONE Fight Night 26, right as Rasulov believed the momentum was shifting in his favor.
Now, he gets his chance to settle the score. On November 16 at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Rasulov challenges Lee for the ONE Lightweight MMA World Title in a rematch that will leave no room for doubt.
Before these elite martial artists collide, we break down three weapons that make Rasulov one of the most dangerous opponents Lee has ever faced.
#1 Rasulov’s Overwhelming Wrestling Arsenal
Rasulov’s grappling prowess isn’t just elite – it was forged in Dagestan, Russia, the unforgiving crucible where the world’s most dominant wrestlers are born and made.
His signature weapon is the single-leg takedown, a deceptively simple technique delivered with devastating speed and raw power. Rasulov shoots low, secures the leg, then whips his body around explosively to dump his rivals onto the canvas.
But what makes the Hyperion Fighters product truly dangerous is his versatility. He catches kicks to initiate takedowns, flipping defense into offense in a heartbeat. In their first encounter, even Lee’s relentless pressure couldn’t break through Rasulov’s formidable takedown defense.
Once the fight hits the ground, Rasulov hunts for the finish. His elbow-heavy ground-and-pound devastates from every position, but he’s most lethal from the crucifix. From that nightmare scenario, opponents are helpless as strikes rain down with surgical precision.
His 71 percent finish rate tells the story. When Rasulov takes control on the mat, fights rarely see the final bell.
#2 Rasulov’s Suffocating Clinch Control
The rematch unfolds inside the ONE Circle, where Rasulov’s punishing clinch game thrives. In this domain, the Turkish warrior becomes a relentless force that methodically breaks his opponents’ will. His grinding pressure saps energy, crushes cardio, and plants seeds of doubt with every passing second.
Rasulov’s body lock is suffocating. He clamps down on his rival’s torso, then uses trips and sweeps to muscle them to the canvas. It’s a wrestling fundamental elevated to art through years in Dagestan’s brutal training halls.
He showcased this brilliantly against former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Ok Rae Yoon – the only man to defeat Lee at lightweight. Throughout their five-round war at ONE Fight Night 23, Rasulov trapped the Korean standout against the ring with impunity and landed strikes in tight quarters.
But Rasulov’s clinch work isn’t purely control. He creates gaps with his single collar-tie, breaking briefly to unleash explosive elbows and uppercuts before resetting his grip. Those sudden bursts leave opponents battered and bewildered, never knowing when the next strike will come.
#3 Rasulov’s Deceptive Striking Game
With grappling credentials this elite, overlooking Rasulov’s striking is a dangerous mistake.
The 32-year-old’s standup game is sharp and technical, more developed than his wrestling-heavy style suggests. His left hook counter is perfectly timed, catching opponents as they over-commit.
Rasulov builds his striking from a foundation of intelligent fundamentals. The jab measures distance and disrupts rhythm, forcing reactions that open the door for power shots. When opponents respect his hands, right kicks to the body and head create a multi-level threat that keeps them guessing.
His dirty boxing skills gave Lee genuine problems in their first meeting. In tight quarters where grappling and striking blur, Rasulov’s short punches and elbows landed repeatedly.
He traded fearlessly with Ok, one of the division’s most technical strikers. Against Lee, he met the World Champion’s legendary aggression head-on without hesitation.
These three weapons form the blueprint for Rasulov’s redemption against Lee. On November 16 at ONE 173, the destroyer unleashes his complete arsenal to finish what they started – with the ONE Lightweight MMA World Title hanging in the balance.