Eddie Alvarez is out, and Christian Lee is in at ONE: Century Part I next month in Japan.
ONE: Century next month in Tokyo was just hit by a big shake-up. Per CEO Chatri Sityodtong, former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has been forced off the card due to injury. In his place steps ONE lightweight champion Christian Lee, who will now fight in the finale against Saygid Arslanaliev.
NEWS ALERT: Eddie Alvarez has pulled out of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix due to injury. ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee has agreed to step into the finals of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix to face Saygid Arslanaliev on Oct 13 in Tokyo at ONE: Century!!!
— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri) September 26, 2019
While the star power of Alvarez (30–7, 1NC) was something many fans were counting on, he’d previously been knocked out of the grand prix, only to be brought back as an injury replacement in the semi-finals. There, he submitted Eduard Folayang, earning a spot in the finale.
Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev (8-1) has won four straight for ONE Championship, knocking out both his grand prix opponents. In fact, he’s finished all eight opponents he has beaten.
Finally, Christian Lee (12-3), brother of ONE superstar Angela Lee, won the lightweight title in May with a TKO of Shinya Aoki. He has won three straight, but will be getting a tough test in Arslanaliev, who is as dangerous a prospect as you’ll find anywhere.
Incredibly, Lee also has a 100% finishing rate, meaning there’s a good chance for a stoppage in the lightweight grand prix final.
ONE: Century has been split into two cards, Part I and Part II, with both going down in Tokyo, Japan on October 13, 2019 (due to the time difference, Part I will take place on October 12 in the west).
