Tang Kai Wants Rematch with Abdullaev, Ready for Baatarkhuu's Challenge
Tang Kai has done it again. China's first-ever male MMA World Champion stopped Russia’s Shamil Gasanov via TKO in the main event of ONE Fight Night 43 on Friday, May 16, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, successfully defending the ONE Featherweight MMA World Title for the second time.
Calf kicks dropped Gasanov before hammerfists sealed the deal, earning Tang a US$50,000 performance bonus and pushing his pro record to 20-3.
The Russian, who stepped into the tilt on a five-fight winning streak, promised to drag the titleholder into the championship rounds and break him down with wrestling and chokes. Tang, however, had other plans.
After the win, the Chinese star called out both ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu and the man who handed him his last defeat, Akbar Abdullaev, making clear that he is ready for whoever comes next.
Tang Says He Enjoyed the Fight with Gasanov
Tang did not downplay the quality of his opponent. The Chinese champion acknowledged the specific threat Gasanov presented and explained how his camp approached the preparation for a dangerous wrestler with submission-hunting instincts.
"Shamil is a very good opponent, and the team knew he had good wrestling and he was a good athlete, so that's why in this fight we prepared everything for him. And we trained very hard. I just enjoyed this fight," Tang said.
Tang's 9-1 ONE record now includes two title defenses, and his ability to neutralize Gasanov's wrestling across four rounds before finishing with calf kicks reflects the kind of complete performance that separates champions from challengers.
Chinese Star Explains How Calf Kicks Set Up The Finish
The fight-ending sequence was not a lucky strike. Tang identified his finishing window in real time, reading Gasanov's reaction to the calf kick and pressing his advantage the moment he felt his opponent hurt.
"I just tried to calf kick to know how he feels. I could feel that he got hurt. He got hurt, so I kept kicking. I felt I landed very clean, and that my opponent got hurt. I felt his pain, so I kept kicking," Tang explained.
Six of Tang's nine ONE victories have come via finish, and the fourth-round TKO against Gasanov adds another clinical stoppage to a championship record that continues to grow.
Tang Calls Out Baatarkhuu, Abdullaev
Tang wasted no time looking ahead after the win. The Chinese champion made clear he has no preference among potential challengers, placing his name alongside two of the most compelling options in the same breath.
"I will prepare every opponent. I do not choose anyone. Just come in and try. And also, Akbar , he's a really good fighter. I hope one day we can rematch. Or the Mongolian guy , he wants to fight me. He can come. He can try," he declared.
Baatarkhuu has publicly stated his desire to challenge Tang for the featherweight gold to become the first-ever two-division Mongolian MMA World Champion. Abdullaev handed Tang his last defeat in a non-title contest, giving the rematch an added layer of unfinished business.
