ONE Championship lightweight titleholder Christian Lee will replace Eddie Alvarez at ONE: CENTURY in the finals of the lightweight grand prix.
Lee steps in for Alvarez to meet Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev due to an injury. His world title will not be on the line, but the lightweight GP championship will be.
Officials had planned to place Eduardo Folayang in the bout instead of Lee, but visa issues derailed those ideas.
“Unfortunately, Eddie Alvarez has been forced to pull out of his scheduled bout against Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev at ONE: CENTURY due to injury,” ONE CE Chatri Sityodtong said. “I know Eddie is a true warrior and would have loved to compete under any circumstance, but training injuries are part of the game. I wish Eddie a complete recovery, and I know he will be back better than ever. ONE Superstar Eduard Folayang had agreed to step up on short notice, but visa issues made it impossible.
“Luckily, ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee has agreed to step into the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Championship Final to face Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev. This bout promises non-stop action for all the fans in Tokyo and around the world!”
Relive Christian Lee’s ONE Victories
Lee claimed the title earlier this year when he bested Shinya Aoki. His sister, Angela Lee, will be defending her atomweight title against Xiong Jing Nan in the main event live on TNT from Tokyo, Japan on October 13.
Related: Preview Angela Lee’s ONE: CENTURY Title Fight
“I received the call that Eddie Alvarez was injured and they needed a last minute replacement to fight Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev,” Lee said. “The fight is booked and I will be stepping into the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Championship Final. My ONE Lightweight World Title will not be on the line. However, we will be fighting for the Grand Prix title. I believe a true champion should be ready to fight anyone at any time. I am more than happy to share this card alongside my sister, the champion! You do not want to miss this event.”
Saygid Arslanaliev Destroys Timofey Nastyukhin
Arslanaliev, on the other hand, is an impressive 8-1 so far in his professional career, with all eight of his victories also ending within the distance. “Dagi” is currently riding a four-bout win streak, defeating top lightweights Ev Ting and Amir Khan to reach the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Championship Final.
Along with the Lee siblings in action, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will be competing in the finals of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.
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