Tang Kai Recaps Stoppage Win Over Shamil Gasanov At ONE Fight Night 43: “He Couldn’t Do Anything”
Tang Kai had one simple instruction from his corner going into ONE Fight Night 43 on May 15. Believe in yourself. He did, and Shamil Gasanov never got close.
The ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion stopped Gasanov via TKO at 2:41 of round four at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, picking up a US$50,000 performance bonus in the process and improving his record to 20-3. The finish came on the legs — calf kicks that accumulated across four rounds until one buckled Gasanov completely, forcing a desperate shot that Tang reversed before closing the show with hammerfists.
The calf kick strategy was not predetermined. Tang read the damage as it was being done and made the decision in real time.
“I just tried to calf kick to know how he feels,” Tang said. “I could feel that he got hurt. He got hurt, so I kept kicking.”
Gasanov had entered the fight with the most credible wrestling threat Tang had faced as champion. He had an 18-1 record built on Dagestani grappling, a submission arsenal, and the physical tools to drag any fight to the floor. Tang’s team had mapped out the problem thoroughly, and the preparation showed from the first takedown attempt.
“Shamil is a very good opponent, and the team knew he had good wrestling and he was a good athlete, so that’s why in this fight we prepared everything for him,” Tang said. “When I defended his first takedown, I felt more confident. He didn’t surprise me at all.”
Shutting down Gasanov’s primary weapon as a wrestler who had never been submitted in 21 fights forced the challenger into a fight he was not built to win on the feet. Tang controlled every exchange once Gasanov abandoned the takedown, and his assessment of the challenger afterward reflected genuine respect without any revision of the outcome.
“He is tough. He’s good, but I defended all of his takedowns, so he couldn’t do anything,” Tang said. “It’s just because I defended all his takedowns, he couldn’t show his strength. He’s still a very great fighter.”
Tang acknowledged he was not at his sharpest and he left Lumpinee with the same demanding standard he always applies to himself.
“I haven’t had a fight in a while, so I feel a little bit tired. I can do better,” he said. “Next fight, I will do better. I will show my fans I can fight better.”
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