ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai will defend his coveted belt for the second time when he meets dangerous Russian contender Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov in the main event of ONE Fight Night 42 on Prime Video on April 10, live in U.S. primetime.
The first male MMA World Champion from China returns to Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium with more than just gold around his waist. He returns with a growing legacy in one of the sport’s most unforgiving divisions.
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The 30-year-old Sunkin International Fight Club representative has established himself as a composed and clinical force at featherweight. In a division filled with dangerous finishers, Tang’s sharp striking and measured control have consistently separated him from the field.
His ascent began with a six-fight surge in ONE Championship, three of those wins coming by first-round stoppage. That run earned him a shot at then-divisional king Thanh Le at ONE 160 in August 2022.
Against the Vietnamese-American, Tang fought with patience and purpose. He attacked the lead leg early, slowed the tempo, and gradually found openings in the pocket. A thudding right hand and crisp left hook in the later rounds shifted the momentum decisively. After five rounds, he stood victorious by unanimous decision and became the first-ever male MMA World Champion from China.
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The moment resonated far beyond the Circle. Tang returned home to Shaoyang in Hunan province to thousands of supporters celebrating the historic achievement.
An injury later interrupted his momentum and, during his absence, Le claimed interim gold. Their rematch at ONE 166: Qatar in March 2024 was a unification bout with unfinished business.
Tang delivered his most complete performance yet. More assertive and more precise, he broke Le down methodically before finishing him with a barrage of punches in the third round. The TKO unified the belts, marked his 19th professional victory, and extended a remarkable 79 percent finishing rate. The performance also earned him a US$50,000 bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
A scheduled defense against Kyrgyzstan’s Akbar Abdullaev at ONE Fight Night 27 was later converted into a catchweight non-title contest after his opponent missed weight. The change altered the stakes, and Tang absorbed his first promotional setback.
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Now, he welcomes a new threat.
Like his nickname suggests, Gasanov has built his reputation on suffocating grappling and relentless control. Representing Peresvet Fight Team and Tiger Muay Thai, the Russian holds an 18-1 professional record, including six victories in ONE Championship.
He burst into contention with a first-round rear-naked choke of South Korean knockout artist “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong and later dominated former longtime divisional ruler Martin “Situ-Asian” Nguyen to solidify his standing.
Most recently, at ONE Fight Night 34, he avenged his lone blemish by defeating decorated grappler Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon, removing any remaining doubt about his title credentials.
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Now, on April 10, these two distinct identities collide.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about ONE Fight Night 42 on April 10.
