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Tang Kai

Tang Kai (Chinese: 唐凯, January 10, 1996) is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division for ONE Championship. He is the current ONE Featherweight World Champion.[3]

Early life

Tang was born in Shaoyang, Hunan province. He signed up for wrestling training at a provincial sports school in 2008 at the age of 12 where he dreamt of becoming an Olympian after the 2008 Summer Olympics. At the same time, he was still working part-time, and was admitted to Wuhan Institute of Physical Education with excellent results. After seeing the difficult odds of making it into the national team, Tang became interested in entering MMA as a career.[4][5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Tang started his professional MMA career in 2016 and fought primarily in China. Amassed a record of 10–2 prior to his joined with ONE Championship.[6]

ONE Championship

Tang his promotional debut against Sung Jong Lee at ONE: Hero's Ascent on January 25, 2019. He won the fight via head kick knockout in the second round.[7]

Tang faced Edward Kelly at ONE: Age Of Dragons on November 16, 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[8]

Tang faced Keanu Subba at ONE: Reign of Dynasties 2 on October 9, 2020, and aired on October 16, 2020.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Tang faced Ryogo Takahashi at ONE: Fists Of Fury 2 on February 26, 2021, and aired on March 5, 2021. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[11]

Tang faced Yoon Chang Min at ONE: NextGen 2 on October 29, 2021, and aired on November 12, 2021.[12] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[13]

Tang was scheduled to face Kim Jae Woong on January 28, 2022, at ONE: Only the Brave.[14] However, Kim forced to withdraw before the event due to undisclosed medical issue.[15] The pair was rescheduled to meet at ONE: X on March 26, 2022. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[16] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[17]

ONE Featherweight World Champion

Tang faced Thanh Le for the ONE Featherweight World Championship at ONE 160 on August 26, 2022.[18] He won the bout via unanimous decision and capture the ONE Featherweight Championship.[19]

The rematch between Tang and Le for the ONE Featherweight World Championship was scheduled on July 15, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 12.[20] However, Tang withdraw from the bout due to knee injury.[21] After Le won the interim champion at ONE Fight Night 15, the fight was rescheduled in a unification bout on March 1, 2024, at ONE 166.[22] He retained the title via technical knockout in round three.[23] This win earned the $50,000 Performance of the Night awards.[24]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

See also

Notes

  1. ^ ONE Championship refers to their 155 lb class as Featherweight, but under the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States, 155 lbs is considered Lightweight.

References

  1. ^ "Kai Tang". Tapology. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Tang Kai | ONE Championship". onefc.com. January 8, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  3. ^ "Athlete Rankings | ONE Championship". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  4. ^ Sun, Xiaochen (August 29, 2022). "Tenacious Tang proud to make history for China". chinadailyhk. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  5. ^ "被时代选择的未来王者，唐凯是否能成为下一个MMA统治者！-其它-武者网". www.swuzhe.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Kai Tang". Sherdog. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  7. ^ Staff (January 25, 2019). "Tang Kai Delivers Highlight-Reel Knockout In ONE Debut". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Timothy Wheaton (August 9, 2022). "Relive Tang Kai's one-sided demolition job of Edward Kelly in 2019". Sportskeeda. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  9. ^ Leon Jennings (October 10, 2020). "ONE: Reign Of Dynasties 2 Full Card Announced". Asian Persuasion MMA. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Nathan McCarter (October 16, 2020). "Tang Kai Steamrolls His Way To Victory Over Keanu Subba". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  11. ^ Jay Furness (March 5, 2022). "Tang Knocks Out Takahashi In Battle Of Featherweight Heavy Hitters". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Black Belt Team (November 10, 2021). "Tang Kai and Yoon Chang Min Meet In A Featherweight Showdown At ONE NextGen II". blackbeltmag.com. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  13. ^ Christian Jacinto (November 12, 2022). "Tang Kai Knocks Out Yoon Chang Min, Earns Eighth Straight Win". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  14. ^ Andrew Whitelaw (January 26, 2022). "Kim Jae Woong and Tang Kai get into heated exchange at ONE: Only the Brave presser". Sportskeeda. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  15. ^ "Kim Jae Woong has medical issue, Tang Kai fight scrapped". Asian MMA. January 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Tang Kai to Thanh Le: 'see you soon old man'!". AsianMMA.com. April 16, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "7 Fighters Earn US$50,000 Performance Bonuses At ONE X". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. March 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  18. ^ Bear Frazer (June 24, 2022). "Thanh Le To Defend ONE Featherweight World Title Against Tang Kai At ONE 160". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  19. ^ Christian Jacinto (August 27, 2022). "Surgical Tang Kai Makes History After Masterful Performance Against Thanh Le". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  20. ^ "Tang Kai vs. Thanh Le title rematch set for ONE Fight Night 12". MMA Junkie. April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "Tang Kai injured, out of ONE Fight Night 12". Asian MMA. May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  22. ^ Richards, Vince (January 2, 2024). "ONE 166: Tang Kai, Thanh Le set for featherweight MMA world title unification match in Qatar". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  23. ^ "Tang Kai Unifies Featherweight MMA World Title With Third-Round TKO of Thanh Le at ONE 166: Qatar". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Pimentel, Anatoly (March 1, 2024). "ONE 166: Qatar - Who got the $50,000 bonuses?". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.

External links