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ONE Championship removes its lightweight MMA rankings, with Christian Lee return date uncertain
- Lee, who also holds welterweight MMA title, has not fought since the death of his 18-year-old sister Victoria Lee last December
- No 4-ranked Halil Amir reiterates calls for a title shot after recent TKO win in Bangkok, and wants American star Sage Northcutt
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ONE Championship has removed its lightweight MMA rankings from its website, with a return date for the division’s champion Christian Lee still uncertain.
“The Warrior” (17-4) has not fought since the death of his 18-year-old sister Victoria Lee last December. His elder sister Angela Lee retired from fighting in September and vacated her atomweight MMA title, which was later claimed by Stamp Fairtex.
Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong had told the Post in June that Asia-based martial arts promotion ONE was looking to create an interim belt in Christian Lee’s absence. He said the 25-year-old American Canadian would “100 per cent” fight again in 2024.
But no fight to crown a new temporary champion has been made, despite a raft of contenders seemingly available and interested.
Former champion Ok Rae-yoon was placed at the No 1 spot before the removal of the rankings. The South Korean beat Lowen Tynanes in May at ONE’s on-ground US debut in Denver.
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