Shamil Gasanov Arrives At ONE Featherweight MMA World Title Shot With Full Preparation And Clear Blueprint
The world title fight Shamil Gasanov was supposed to have in April is finally happening in May, and the extra weeks made all the difference.
The 30-year-old Russian challenger faces ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai in the main event of ONE Fight Night 43: Tang vs. Gasanov on Prime Video on Friday, May 15, live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The fight was originally scheduled for ONE Fight Night 42 last month before Gasanov requested additional time to complete Ramadan without compromising his camp — ONE Championship granted it, and the challenger has spent every day since ensuring that decision counts.
“This fight was originally planned for April, but I asked the promotion to give me more time to prepare since I was in Ramadan and couldn’t fully prepare for this fight,” Gasanov said. “And they gave me more time, and I was able to prepare better for the fight.”
Tang has held the ONE Featherweight MMA World Title since August 2022, when he became the first male Chinese MMA World Champion by defeating Thanh Le at ONE 160. A 19-3 record with 15 knockouts makes him one of the most dangerous strikers in the division, and his leg kicks in particular have been a recurring tool for dismantling opponents who allow him to dictate range. Gasanov has spent camp specifically addressing that weapon.
“Tang Kai is a serious striker, but he has some disadvantages that we will use in battle,” Gasanov said. “I won’t let him hit me in the legs. I will try to knock him down — this is no secret to anyone — but I also plan to beat him in the standing position, so we will use all our skills to win this fight.”
That last point is important. Gasanov’s 18-1 record was built predominantly through his suffocating Dagestani wrestling, but the years he has spent at Tiger Muay Thai have steadily broadened his striking to the point where standing with elite fighters no longer represents a concession. Wins over Kim Jae Woong, Aaron Canarte, and Martin Nguyen — all accomplished strikers — and last August’s dominant unanimous decision revenge over Garry Tonon have built a competitive striking record against quality opposition. He is not walking into this title fight as a one-dimensional grappler hoping to drag it to the floor.
“I’ve been training in Thailand for a long time, and this isn’t the first time I’ll be fighting strikers, so I’m always ready for such challenges,” he said. “Tang Kai is a serious striker, but anything can happen in a fight, so don’t blink. We’ve done a lot of work with the coaches, and I think we’re ready for all five rounds of war in the ring.”
Five rounds of wrestling and choke attempts is what Gasanov has promised — and he has named the specific tools he intends to deploy when the opportunity arrives in the championship rounds.
“I will try to apply any painful hold if I have the opportunity. I really like choke holds,” he said. “I will try to break him in every round, but I know this will be a tough fight for both of us, and a lot will be decided in the championship rounds.”
The magnitude of what is at stake has not rattled him. The title, the occasion, the Prime Video audience — none of it changes the calculation for a fighter who has spent a decade building toward exactly this kind of moment.
“I don’t feel any pressure. For me it’s just a fight. I’m going to go out there one on one with Tang Kai, not with the people, so we will have an equal battle, and the strongest will win,” Gasanov said. “First I want to take this belt, and then the challenges will be made in the cage. I am going to finish this fight by technical knockout.”
READ MORE: UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland: Preview and Prediction
Recent posts
