Adrian Lee: ONE Championship’s Teenage Sensation
Every so often, MMA gets a rising star who feels different — someone who commands attention the second they step into the cage.
Adrian Lee is that fighter right now. Competing in
ONE Championship, he’s not only undefeated but also performing with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. At just a teenager, Lee has become a talking point across the MMA community, proving that the next wave of talent is already here.
Early Fights That Sparked the Buzz
Lee’s breakout came at
ONE 167, facing Italian striker
Antonio Mammarella. The fight
Lee vs Mammarella was more than just a test — it was a statement. Lee handled pressure like a veteran, showing sharp stand-up exchanges and fight IQ well beyond his years. That win told fans: this kid is the real deal.
Momentum carried into
ONE 168 against Chilean prospect
Nico Cornejo. In
Lee vs Cornejo, Adrian displayed a mix of striking precision and grappling defense, outpacing his opponent and proving he could adapt under fire. By this point, ONE Championship fans weren’t just curious about him — they were invested.
Then came
ONE 172, where Lee met submission specialist
Takeharu Ogawa. On paper, Ogawa was a stylistic nightmare. Yet
Lee vs Ogawa showcased Adrian’s composure and evolving all-around game. He neutralized Ogawa’s grappling threats and turned the fight into another decisive moment for his undefeated run.
The Upcoming Clash: Lee vs Ruotolo
Now the hype shifts to the biggest challenge of his career:
Lee vs Ruotolo at
ONE Fight Night 35. Scheduled for Prime Video in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK, this fight pits Adrian Lee against
Tye Ruotolo, ONE’s Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion stepping into MMA. It’s a classic storyline: youth and explosive talent versus technical mastery and world-class grappling.
Fans are asking the big questions. Can Lee keep the fight standing and unleash his striking? Or will Ruotolo drag him into the deep waters of submission grappling? Either way, this matchup is generating buzz not just in Asia but globally, showing how ONE Championship has become a true rival to the UFC when it comes to international MMA relevance.
Adrian Lee’s Place in ONE FC’s Future
Adrian Lee isn’t just another undefeated fighter. He represents the new generation that ONE Championship is building its future around. Alongside superstars like Rodtang, Superlek, and the Ruotolo brothers, Lee’s rise gives fans a reason to tune in card after card. His style is aggressive yet disciplined, making him one of the most watchable prospects in all of MMA.
What sets Lee apart is how quickly he’s adapted to the spotlight. From fighting on events like ONE 167 and ONE 168 to now headlining alongside names at ONE Fight Night 35, he’s proving he’s more than hype. He’s a legitimate contender in the making.
Why This Fight Matters
ONE FC has always thrived on unique matchups — strikers vs grapplers, veterans vs rising stars.
ONE Fight Night 35 continues that tradition. Adrian Lee vs Tye Ruotolo isn’t just another bout; it’s a chance to see if a teenage prodigy can outsmart a world champion. The outcome could define both fighters’ careers and potentially shift the trajectory of ONE Championship’s lightweight division.
Don’t Miss Adrian Lee’s Journey
Before Lee’s showdown with Ruotolo, rewatch his early wars:
Mammarella,
Cornejo, and
Ogawa. Each fight shows a new layer of his evolution. Now, as he walks into ONE Fight Night 35, Adrian Lee isn’t just a fighter to watch — he’s the fighter everyone will be talking about.
