South Korea’s rising strawweight contender improves to 14-1 with a second-round rear-naked choke victory over India’s Nazareth Lalthazuala in Bangkok.
South Korean strawweight Seung Cheol Lee continued his impressive run in ONE Championship, securing another submission victory against India’s Nazareth Lalthazuala at ONE Fight Night 49 on November 6, 2026.
Competing in Bangkok, Thailand, Lee overcame a challenging opening round before finishing Lalthazuala with a rear-naked choke at 3:04 of the second round.
The victory improved Lee’s professional mixed martial arts record to 14-1, including a perfect 7-0 record under the ONE Championship banner, further establishing the DK Gym representative as one of South Korea’s most promising fighters in the strawweight division.
For Lee, the result was another demonstration of his ability to remain composed under pressure and capitalize on opportunities against dangerous grappling opponents.
A Difficult Opening Round
Despite the eventual submission finish, Lee’s latest victory was far from straightforward.
Lalthazuala entered the matchup undefeated and immediately demonstrated why he was considered a dangerous opponent.
The Indian fighter controlled significant portions of the opening round on the canvas, initiating grappling exchanges and threatening submissions as Lee worked to defend and improve his position.
Rather than forcing unnecessary exchanges, Lee remained composed while navigating the early pressure.
Lalthazuala’s willingness to engage on the ground created a competitive opening five minutes, testing Lee’s defensive grappling and ability to respond against an opponent comfortable in submission-oriented exchanges.
Although the first round presented challenges, Lee would ultimately turn the momentum in his favor.
Lee Takes Control in Round Two
The second round brought a noticeable shift in the contest.
Lee began applying greater pressure, eventually trapping Lalthazuala against the ropes and delivering heavy ground-and-pound strikes.
As Lalthazuala attempted to create separation with up-kicks, Lee continued pressing forward and prevented his opponent from comfortably resetting the exchange.
When the action returned to the canvas, Lee capitalized on an opening to secure back control.
From there, the South Korean fighter transitioned into a rear-naked choke, forcing Lalthazuala to submit at 3:04 of Round 2.
The finish demonstrated Lee’s ability to transition between striking and grappling, using his offensive pressure to create the opportunity for a decisive submission.
According to the supplied fight statistics, Lee landed 22 significant strikes, completed all four of his takedown attempts, and accumulated 1:46 of control time.
The performance highlighted both his efficiency and his ability to make adjustments after a difficult opening round.
Seven Straight Victories in ONE Championship
With another victory added to his record, Lee has continued building momentum in one of Asia’s most prominent mixed martial arts organizations.
His undefeated 7-0 run in ONE Championship reflects the consistency he has demonstrated against international competition.
Representing South Korea’s DK Gym, Lee has established himself as a well-rounded competitor capable of finishing fights through multiple approaches.
His latest performance was particularly significant because of the adversity he faced early in the contest.
Rather than dominating from the opening bell, Lee was forced to defend against an aggressive grappler before finding his own opportunities in the second round.
The ability to adjust during a fight is often an important distinction as competitors progress toward higher levels of opposition.
For Lalthazuala, the defeat marked the first loss of his professional career, dropping his record to 8-1.
Despite the result, his opening-round performance demonstrated the grappling ability that had helped him build an undefeated record entering the contest.
What’s Next for Seung Cheol Lee?
At 14-1 overall and undefeated through seven ONE Championship appearances, Lee has positioned himself as an increasingly compelling name in the strawweight division.
His combination of grappling, offensive pressure, and finishing ability makes him a difficult matchup for opponents looking to establish themselves in the promotion.
However, the question now becomes how ONE Championship will approach his next opponent.
Another victory against established strawweight competition could strengthen Lee’s case for greater opportunities within the division, particularly as he continues developing his international profile.
For South Korean MMA, Lee’s continued success adds another promising name to the country’s growing presence in major international promotions.
His latest victory at ONE Fight Night 49 was not simply another addition to his winning streak. It was a performance that required patience, defensive awareness, and the ability to capitalize when the opportunity presented itself.
With seven consecutive victories inside ONE Championship, Lee continues to build a compelling case for a step up in competition.
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