Ok Rae Yoon Aims To KO Alibeg Rasulov In Interim World Title Fight, Earn Trilogy Match With Christian Lee

Ok Rae Yoon has a tough opponent ahead of him in Alibeg Rasulov at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. But there’s another man who’s serving as the fuel for his fire ahead of this main event clash at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 
 
The South Korean striker faces Rasulov for the ONE Interim Lightweight MMA World Title live in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 5, and a victory would put him in a commanding position to rematch current divisional king Christian “The Warrior” Lee and unify the belts. 

Ok defeated “The Warrior” via unanimous decision to win the ONE Lightweight MMA World Title in 2021, but Lee redeemed himself with a second-round TKO in their 2022 rematch. Because of family tragedy, however, the Singaporean-American has not defended his title since.
 
In his rival’s absence, Ok took a hard-fought victory over Lowen Tynanes at ONE Fight Night 10 last May, and with Lee’s return still not confirmed, that victory was enough to earn him the shot at interim gold in the Thai capital.

The Team Mad representative knows success against the surging Rasulov is the biggest statement he could make if he wants to tee up a rubber match against the reigning lightweight and welterweight king.

Ok told onefc.com: 

“I really, really want to fight Christian Lee for a third time before I retire. I believe I must fight him before I call it a day. Although our last fight ended in a complete defeat for me, we’re still 1-1. 
 
“The fight against Tynanes was after my defeat when I lost my World Title. I thought to myself that if I lost, I would no longer be considered a top contender.  
 
“So I knew the fight was very important, and I trained very hard. I stopped every other thing I was doing and focused on my preparation. I saw it as my stepping stone back to the title.” 

But Ok is not overlooking Rasulov. The Turkish athlete’s resume carried enough weight to get him a World Title shot in his promotional debut, and the South Korean respects that.
 
While Lee’s future plans aren’t clear, Ok wants his claim for a trilogy bout to be undeniable if “The Warrior” returns. 
 
He said: 

“I have to admit that I see this fight as a direct path back to facing Christian again. I sometimes think more about him than my upcoming opponent. Of course, I fully understand that Alibeg is a powerful and formidable opponent, but I do think about my desire to fight Christian again. 

“For that to happen, I need a good reason, and that would be defeating a 14-0 fighter in Alibeg. I am studying Alibeg closely and preparing for him accordingly.” 

Ok Planning A KO Finish Over Rasulov In Bangkok 

Very few athletes can remain undefeated as mixed martial artists for as long as Alibeg Rasulov has. The athlete from Hyperion Fighters holds a perfect 14-0 slate containing 10 finishes and some incredible performances. 
 
Though he’s new to ONE, the 31-year-old defeated tough opposition on the regional scene, utilizing his strong wrestling, ground-and-pound, and submission arsenal.  
 
With no confirmed blueprint to defeat Rasulov, Ok Rae Yoon is enjoying trying to piece together the puzzle in his training camp so that he can put the first blemish on his rival’s record on July 5. 
 
He said: 

“Alibeg has never tasted defeat at the professional level before. Coming up with a game plan, a solution to defeating this man, that is what excites me. I believe that the way I develop and enact this game plan will determine the outcome of the fight.  
 
“He is a talented grappler. I want to stay on my feet and light him up with my striking, essentially putting on a performance anyone can and will like. So, I’ve been working on my takedown and grappling defense, as well as my overall striking.” 

Ok has shown his ability to deliver on a sprawl-and-brawl game plan in the past, defeating seasoned grapplers by stuffing their takedowns and doing damage in the striking exchanges.  
 
He knows Rasulov will come at him relentlessly in pursuit of a close-quarters battle, but the former lightweight king is confident he will find the right moments to land his shots and put an end to the bout. 
 
Offering his thoughts on how the match will play out, Ok said: 

“I think we are both going to do what we are good at. Alibeg is going to bring his Dagestani wrestling to try and take me down. I’m going to do my best to not get taken down and hit him with good shots.  
 
“ONE allows for knees on the ground. So, if he comes in for the takedown, I’ll make sure he pays for it with my knees. Then I’ll hit him with my shots and get the KO.”