Luke Lessei To Face Bampara Kouyate In Muay Thai Battle At ONE Fight Night 23 On July 5
Fans of world-class Muay Thai are in for a treat at ONE Fight Night 23: Buntan vs. Meksen on Prime Video, as two of the featherweight division’s most electrifying talents have just been added to the U.S. primetime card.
On July 5, #5-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Luke “The Chef” Lessei will square off with French phenom Bampara Kouyate in a matchup that promises fireworks at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 28-year-old Lessei burst onto the global stage last December at ONE Fight Night 17 with an unforgettable war against upcoming World Title challenger and Thai legend “Smokin” Jo Nattawut.
While “The Chef” dropped the decision in that battle, his gritty performance and slick Muay Thai stylings earned him the respect of the Thai crowd and fans around the globe.
Two months later at ONE Fight Night 19, the Iowa native bounced back with a thrilling victory over Californian Eddie “Silky Smooth” Abasolo to cement his status as America’s top male Muay Thai fighter and earn himself a spot in the divisional rankings.
Lessei is now aiming to continue his rise, but he’ll have to get through the always dangerous Kouyate.
Now training out of Team Mehdi Zatout in Pattaya, Thailand, the 29-year-old was recognized as one of Europe’s most respected competitors before making his ONE debut last October in a 174.5-pound catchweight bout against Shakir Al-Tekreeti.
The Frenchman would lose that three-round clash by decision but showcased his elite skills to prove he belongs in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Against Lessei, Kouyate will move down to his natural weight class, where he will look to make waves and grab his foe’s spot in the top-five rankings.
Stylistically, this bout is a Muay Thai fan’s dream.
Both men are long and rangy strikers, each standing over 6 feet tall and possessing venomous kicking games that complement their surprising punching power and solid clinch work.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news and announcements about ONE Fight Night 23 on July 5.
