In an exclusive fight announcement to The Sporting News, ONE Championship officials have confirmed a former mixed martial arts titleholder will return to action this summer.
Ok Rae Yoon, who held the ONE MMA lightweight championship, will square off with Lucas Gabriel at ONE Fight Night 44. The event takes place June 26 from the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. It will stream live in primetime at 9 p.m. EDT in the United States.
Former ONE champion looking to get back into contention
The 35-year-old Ok owns a career record of 17-5 with four knockouts and a submission win. He earned a 2021 victory over former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez at ONE on TNT 4 via decision, pushing him into a title fight later that year vs. Christian Lee.
Ok won the ONE lightweight championship via decision at ONE: Revolution in September, holding it for nearly an entire year before falling in a rematch with Lee. He scored a decision over Lowen Tynanes in May 2023 and is looking to bounce back after a tough five-round decision loss to Alibeg Rasulov in July 2024 for the interim ONE lightweight title.
Lucas Gabriel enters key bout in his ONE career
Gabriel, a native of Brazil, is a 26-year-old rising contender who trains out of Nova Uniao Phuket. He debuted with ONE through the Friday Fights series in 2023, scoring three consecutive wins.
In February, Gabriel topped Magomed Akaev via decision, improving to 3-0 with one no-contest in the promotion and 10-1 overall. He was a training partner to former UFC title contender and ONE champion John Lineker, scoring victories over Gadzhimurad Amirzhanov, Kurbanali Isabekov and Ibraigim Shaymanov.
On tap for ONE Championship
Up next for ONE Championship is The Inner Circle and ONE Friday Fights 155 on Friday, May 22. The event features Muay Thai, kickboxing and mixed martial arts action, headlined by Yod-IQ vs. Kiamran Nabat.
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