Top contender Tang Kai believes that he can hoist the ONE Feaatherweight World Title from reigning divisional king Thanh Le, and he plans to do so in impressive fashion.
The Chinese heavy hitter goes head-to-head with the Vietnamese-American knockout artist in the co-main event of ONE 160: Ok vs. Lee II on Friday, August 26, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in a match that many expect not to last long.
Tang believes that between the two of them, it’s Le who hasn’t been tested. That’s something he plans to change when they square off in the middle of the Circle.
“I think Thanh Le’s weakness is that he doesn’t fight. He was not hit in ONE Championship before, but when I meet him, I just have to punch him, and he will be defeated,” Tang told ONEFC.com.
“My reading [of the fight] and skills are better than his. I am better at seizing opportunities. I don’t think this game will go to a decision. I think I’ll KO him. Thanh Le, you’re old. It’s time to retire. I’ll be the new king of the featherweight division.”
Aside from that, the 26-year-old Sunkin International Fight Club representative believes he has one main advantage over the dominant champion – youth.
While he’s ten years younger than Le, Tang has actually fought more than the reigning World Champion. So, experience won’t be an issue for him.
He believes that while Le is still physically capable, there are other factors that may play into the fight.
“He is now approaching the end of his career. I think he’s 36 or 37 years old now, and he has a family and kids. I don’t think he will focus on the game and training. But I am still very young. I am 100 percent committed,” he continued.
Should he win, Tang will etch his name into Chinese mixed martial arts history as the first male World Champion in the sport, and the second from his country after ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan.
“I’m the first Chinese male to challenge for the gold belt,” he said. “This is both pressure and motivation for me. I’m going to make history and let the world know my name. I’m Tang Kai from China!”
Catch ONE 160 live on One Sports and One Sports+ at 7:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Friday, August 26. The main card will follow on One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. PHT.
The morning after, ONE Fight Night 1: Moraes vs. Johnson II will air live on One Sports and One Sports+ starting with the lead card at 8 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Saturday, August 27. The main card will follow on One Sports and One Sports+ at 10 a.m. PHT.