Reigning ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai is ready to prove that his World Title victory over Thanh Le was no fluke. The pair is set to run it back in a massive World Title unification bout this Friday, March 1 at ONE 166: Qatar, live from the picturesque Lusail Sports Arena in Doha.

The Chinese phenom and Vietnamese-American knockout artist first collided in August 2022, and after five action-packed rounds of battle, Tang emerged victorious to claim the featherweight MMA crown and become China’s first-ever male MMA World Champion and now Kai is looking to replicate what he did to Le in a high stake match.

Tang Kai reflects on injury layoff and personal growth

Since his victory against Thanh Le, Tang Kai struggled with injuries that have forced the titleholder to be on the sidelines for the longest layoff of his eight-year professional career. Despite the time away, Tang says he’s used his time wisely and has only improved as a fighter over the past 18 months:

“I think it’s the best time to stay focused on improving myself, including both willpower and skills,” said Kai in a conversation with the media.  The featherweight division continued to move forward in Tang’s absence.

Last October, in the main event of ONE Fight Night 15, Le needed just 62 seconds to score a stunning heel hook victory over dangerous Russian standout Ilya Freymanov to capture the ONE Interim Featherweight MMA World Title. While Le boasts a 100 percent finishing rate, that win marked just his second submission victory and his first via leg lock.

Tang spoke about his foe’s title-winning performance: “Thanh Le has rich fighting experience, so there are a lot of things I can learn from him. Last time, he had a nice victory, and he proved that he had some hidden fighting skills that he had never shown before. But anyway, I also have a lot and we will see it in the ring.”

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Tang Kai is unfazed by Le’s immaculate victory

According to the Chinese star, Le’s shocking heel hook doesn’t change much. He says he has supreme confidence in his own training and isn’t about to alter his preparations just because his opponent flashed some new skills.

Tang added: “My preparations have always been comprehensive, and of course I will not change all my strategy because of a heel hook. I don’t think it really matters, because the heel hook is not very complex, and anyone can do it.”

Tang Kai is riding a seven-fight winning streak and will be looking forward to maintaining it after defeating Thang Le in a rematch at Qatar 16. In addition to Le, Kai has emerged victorious against formidable opponents such as Kim Jae Woong, Yoon Chang Min, Ryogo Takahashi, Keanu Subba, Edward Kelly, and Sung Jung Lee.

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