China’s Tang Kai was not ready to hand back his ONE Championship featherweight MMA world title just yet.
The champion looked refreshed, revitalised and ruthless at Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday morning, chopping away at Shamil Gasanov’s legs until “The Cobra” could no longer stand.
Tang Kai_s arm is raised by referee Olivier Coste at ONE Fight Night 43
Tang sealed a fourth-round TKO at ONE Fight Night 43, defending his title in impressive fashion and putting a painful 16 months behind him.
The 30-year-old had not fought since January 2025, when he suffered a demoralising TKO defeat by Akbar Abdullaev in Bangkok after being dominated for most of the four and a half rounds.
Tang was spared losing his title only because Abdullaev missed weight and failed hydration, leaving their main event as a non-title fight.
But after dismantling Gasanov, Tang suggested that night had forced him to evolve.
“Akbar is a really good fighter and I respect him,” Tang told the Bangkok Post backstage. “I also learned something from him.
“I hope that one day we can have a rematch – but now I can fight the Mongolian.”
Tang Kai stuffs a takedown attempt from Shamil Gasanov in their ONE Fight Night 43 main event
That would be Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, the newly crowned bantamweight MMA champion who stunned Fabricio Andrade in December and immediately told the Bangkok Post he wanted the chance to become a two-division champion.
The 37-year-old, who shot to wider prominence through the Netflix hit Physical: Asia last year, has made no secret of his desire to move up and challenge Tang.
The featherweight champion is willing to grant him that wish.
“I know he wants to fight with me,” Tang said. “He can come. He can try. I will show him how different the level is between me and him.”
Tang said he would have no issue facing Enkh-Orgil in Mongolia, China or anywhere else ONE decides to stage the fight.
“For me, no problem. In China, I feel more [nervous] and more pressure. So better not in China,” he said, smiling.
Shamil Gasanov shells up after Tang Kai chops him down for a fifth-round finish
Tang had looked under pressure before the opening bell, given the manner of his loss to Abdullaev and Gasanov’s reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous grapplers.
But the champion fought with discipline from the start, staying composed in the clinch, defending takedown attempts and repeatedly attacking Gasanov’s lead leg.
The Russian challenger continued to press forward, but the damage built round by round.
By the fourth, Gasanov’s movement had deteriorated badly. Tang kept targeting the leg, forced him to the canvas, and the referee stepped in.
“I prepared everything,” Tang said. “I know his wrestling and grappling is really good.
“So I prepared everything and trained hard every day. Thank you to my team, my coach, and also thank you Tiger Muay Thai.
“I have trained there for a long time. Me and Shamil trained in the same gym, but we never sparred. Thank you Shamil. He is a good opponent and a good guy.”
Tang Kai consoles Shamil Gasanov after his victory at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok
Tang was also awarded a US$50,000 performance bonus after the win, which he said he would use to support his family and team.
Abdullaev’s status remains one of the biggest unanswered questions in the featherweight division.
The 28-year-old Kyrgyz contender was last seen in September, when he stopped Ibragim Dauev in the third round – again after missing weight.
Reports have suggested Abdullaev is now a free agent, though ONE has made no official announcement on his future.
For now, Tang appears prepared to move on without him.
And after reminding the division he is still champion, he had one more message for the country that has been his adopted home for more than four years.
“I really like Thailand and I love Thailand,” Tang said with a smile. “Thank you to my Thailand fans. One day, I will learn to speak Thai.”
