Tang Kai (20-4) successfully defended his ONE Championship lightweight title by knocking out Shamil Gasanov (16-2) with a low kick in the fourth round. The finish came via a devastating leg kick that ended the bout. Interestingly, Gasanov was coached for this fight by Timur Valiev. The channel noted they couldn't attach video because ONE Championship issues copyright strikes, directing fans to check ONE's Instagram for footage.
Tang Kai successfully defended his ONE Championship lightweight title on May 16, 2026, stopping Shamil Gasanov with a devastating low kick in the fourth round to retain his belt.
Tang Kai, now 20-4, put on a dominant enough performance to finish the challenger inside the distance with a leg kick that left no doubt about the outcome. The Chinese fighter has established himself as one of the premier lightweights on the ONE Championship roster, and this victory extends his reign at the top of the division.
Gasanov entered the contest with a record of 16-2, making him a credible challenger for the title. Notably, he had Russian veteran Timur Valiev in his corner for the fight. Valiev, a 36-year-old fighter from Russia representing DagFighter, carries an 18-3-0 professional record and is a capable lightweight himself, averaging 5.19 significant strikes landed per minute with a striking accuracy of 53 percent. His presence as a coach added an experienced voice to Gasanov's camp, though it ultimately was not enough to claim the belt.
Why it matters
- Tang Kai's successful defense solidifies his standing as ONE Championship's top lightweight, making any future challenger earn a shot against a proven finisher
- Gasanov's two career losses now include a title-fight defeat, which will shape his path back to contention in the division
- The low-kick finish highlights the technical striking danger Tang Kai poses at range, a factor any future opponent must account for
