“Let’s Get My Belt Back”- Thanh Le Set to Reclaim His Undisputed Title at ONE 166

Reigning interim featherweight MMA kingpin Thanh Le has no intention of seeing the judges’ scorecards at ONE 166: Qatar.

This Friday, March 1, at the picturesque Lusail Sports Arena, the Vietnamese-American knockout artist will challenge Tang Kai for the undisputed ONE Featherweight MMA World Title in a blockbuster rematch that has the combat sports world buzzing.

Thanh Le gives a terrifying statement going up to his rematch against Tang Kai

The pair first clashed in August 2022 at ONE 160, and after five rounds of high-paced action, the Chinese superstar emerged victorious to claim Le’s featherweight MMA crown. Since then, injury has forced Tang on the sidelines, but Le stayed busy, capturing interim gold last October with a stunning submission win over Russian phenom Ilya Freymanov.

Thanh Le is a veteran of 17 professional MMA bouts and is one of MMA’s most talented finishers, always living by the sword or dying by the sword. His loss to Tang was the first time he had ever gone the distance – and promises to never do so again.

The 38-year-old spoke about his upcoming World Title unification showdown: “It’s going to be a finish. I’m not doing another decision in my entire career. Whether he was happy with it or not – I’m sure he was because he ended up getting a belt that night – that’s not happening again. We’re going to come in hot, press the action, and he’s gonna feel my power early. I’ll be honest with you. If we make it out of the first round, I’ll be surprised. He’s going to sleep, and he’s going to sleep early.”

Indeed, Le has rightfully earned the reputation of a fast finisher, having tallied 10 of his 14 career stoppages in the first round. While he is targeting another quick finish at ONE 166, he’s not about to look past the task at hand.

When asked about who he’d like to face next if he emerges victorious on March 1 – whether that be a trilogy fight with Tang or a clash with one of the featherweight MMA division’s top contenders – Le refused to look too far ahead.

Also Read: “He’s in Trouble This Time” – Thanh Le Out for Revenge on Tang Kai in Rematch at ONE 166

The ONE interim featherweight champ promises a “KO” as he looks to retain his belt

The only thing on his mind right now, he says, is once again becoming the undisputed ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion. “I don’t know what’s next, but I’m 38, so I’m older, towards the end of my career, so it’s gotta be exciting, and it’s gotta take care of me and my family, or I’m not doing it, honestly,” said Than Le.

He added, “It’s something that I haven’t thought about because Tang is so important to me and I’m not in a position to call any shots because I need to get my belt back. So, let’s get my belt back, and immediately, my brain will start working on that question before I leave the ring. I promise you. But we’ve got to go beat this man up, KO him, and then we’ll talk about it.”

Will Thanh Le be successful in retaining the undisputed ONE featherweight title which he lost to Tang Kai in their last outing? Or will the rematch have the same outcome as the first fight between the two? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Also Read: ONE Championship Builds Up to ONE 166: Qatar With a Slew of Events, Starting With Star-Studded Press Conference