Next Big Thing: Lee Seung Cheol's MMA Journey
Get to know South Korean MMA star Lee Seung Cheol, his rise to prominence, and what’s next for him in the ring.
Lee “The Flash” Seung Cheol is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in MMA today. At just 27 years old, this South Korean fighter has overcome challenges to put himself on the global map.
A Rocky Start Turns into a Winning Streak
Lee's professional debut in 2020 didn’t go as planned, as he suffered a TKO loss on the regional circuit. Many fighters never recover from such a defeat, but Lee used this setback as a powerful motivator. Refusing to let the loss define him, he intensely focused on improving his skills and harnessing his grappling and striking abilities.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Over the next few years, Lee achieved an astounding 13-fight winning streak, cementing his status as a rising star. Among his notable victories was a dominating performance against Rene “The Challenger” Catalan, a former ONE World Title challenger, which showcased Lee's readiness for higher stakes in the sport.
A Breakthrough on the ONE Stage
Lee’s ascent led him to ONE Championship, where he initially proved himself through the ONE Friday Fights, a platform for emerging talents. In 2024, he made a striking entrance, stopping Moises “The Lion King” Lois Ilogon in just the first round at ONE Friday Fights 74.
He continued his impressive run by besting Pham “Nam Chou” Van Nam with a second-round TKO. However, it was at ONE Friday Fights 136 that he made the biggest splash, submitting Cueng Naibaho in the first round. This decisive victory earned him a lucrative contract with ONE Championship, signaling that he was destined for bigger battles.
The Speed and Skill of “The Flash”
Once elevated to the main roster, Lee kept up his momentum. During his first fight, he ended Fabio “The Giant” Henrique’s impressive nine-fight winning streak at ONE Fight Night 41. His skills were further highlighted in a unanimous decision victory over Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane at ONE Fight Night 45, a notable clash against a top-five ranked contender that added to his growing resume.
Lee’s impressive offensive skills earned him the nickname
