The ONE Championship lightweight title fight between champion Tang Kai and challenger Shamil Gasanov has been rescheduled to May 15, 2026 for ONE Fight Night 43. Tang Kai brings a 19-4 overall record and 8-1 ONE record into the bout, while Gasanov is 16-1 overall and 6-1 in ONE. The fight was originally scheduled for a different date before the change. No reason for the postponement was provided in the announcement. Both fighters remain on track to compete for the 155-pound championship.
ONE Championship's lightweight title fight between champion Tang Kai and top contender Shamil Gasanov has been moved to ONE Fight Night 43, now set for May 15, 2026, following a rescheduling of the original date. No reason for the change was given in the official announcement.
Tang Kai enters the bout as the reigning ONE lightweight champion, carrying a 19-4 overall record and an impressive 8-1 mark inside the ONE Championship promotion. The Chinese striker has established himself as one of the most formidable featherweight and lightweight competitors in Asian MMA, and this title defense represents another significant test of his championship reign.
Shamil Gasanov steps in as the challenger with a 16-1 overall record and a 6-1 ledger in ONE, making him one of the most accomplished lightweights on the roster. The Russian fighter has moved through the 155-pound division with considerable consistency, and his lone ONE loss has done little to slow his ascent toward a title shot.
Why it matters
- The ONE lightweight championship adds significant weight to an already compelling matchup between two fighters with minimal losses
- Gasanov's 6-1 ONE record marks him as a credible and dangerous challenger who has earned this opportunity through sustained performance
- Tang Kai's 8-1 promotional record signals a champion who has been tested and passed, raising the stakes for any fighter hoping to dethrone him
- ONE Fight Night 43 gains an immediate headline bout with genuine title implications at 155 pounds
Both fighters remain confirmed for the contest despite the schedule change, keeping the lightweight title picture intact heading into May.
