Luke “The Chef” Lessei

Born and raised in the quaint Midwestern town of Dubuque, Iowa, Luke “The Chef” Lessei has emerged as a rising star in the Muay Thai world.

From a young age, martial arts was woven into the fabric of his life. Lessei’s formative years were spent at Dubuque Martial Arts Group — his father’s esteemed gym.

It was within the walls of his patriarch’s training facility that Lessei was introduced to “the art of eight limbs.” Quickly rising through the ranks, he became the gym’s most promising striker, showcasing a natural talent that set him apart from his peers.

While Lessei balanced the rigors of high school and engaged in sports like cross country and soccer, Muay Thai remained the core of his daily routine. Under his father’s strict guidance, he cultivated his skills, gradually realizing the extent of his potential.

In 2020, he made the pivotal decision to turn professional, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter. Enduring a challenging two years of training outside Dubuque away from his father’s direct influence, Lessei matured as a competitor. This led him to being discovered by ONE Championship.

In December 2023, Lessei made his promotional debut and engaged in one of the most exciting battles of the year. Though he suffered his first career defeat, he showed enough to earn the #5 spot in the featherweight Muay Thai rankings.

At ONE Fight Night 19 on February 16, he hopes to beat fellow American Eddie Abasolo and continue his rise up the rankings.