Alibeg
Rasulov is focused on the ONE
Championship 170-pound title rather — though not necessarily
current champion Christian
Lee — after a successful promotional debut on Friday.
Advertisement
Rasulov made his debut against former lightweight (170-pound) champ
Ok Rae Yoon in the main event at
ONE on Prime Video 23 at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in
Thailand. The Turkish controlled the action against Yoon for the
most part of 25 minutes to earn a unanimous decision win and extend
his perfect record to 15-0.
“You know, it was a pretty difficult fight,” Rasulov said at the
post-fight press conference. “I’m really happy to have won and my
opponent, he was strong, but still I won. But I just can say that I
can do much better.”
Rasulov and Yoon were originally slated to compete for the ONE
Championship interim 170-pound title, with the winner going on to
challenge lineal champ Lee. However, Rasulov was ineligible to win
the belt because while he passed hydration testing and made 170
pounds, he couldn’t do it within the official time window.
“It’s my first time competing in ONE Championship,” Rasulov said.
“It’s a bit new for me, with hydration testing too. So that’s why I
had to cut weight twice. And, you know, that’s why I’m saying I
could do much better. But at the same time, it’s a good experience.
I will do much better in the future.”
Despite the weight miss, Rasulov could still be in line for the
next title shot against Lee when he returns to action. For Rasulov,
fighting for the belt is the only thing that matters and not the
person holding it.
“It’s not about Christian
Lee. It’s all about the belt,” he said. “I’m going to face
anyone who holds the belt and I’m going to get this belt.”
Having barely sustained any damage in his promotional debut,
Rasulov is ready to return to action soon.
“It’s all going to depend on ONE Championship,” he said. “I’m not
injured, I feel pretty good. I didn’t take a lot of damage, so I’m
going to be ready. And also, I just want to say that I don’t want
to waste my time. I’m ready for the fight if there’s a fight. My
weight is always good, so I’m going to be ready all the time.”