Tang Kai Knocks Out Yoon Chang Min, Earns Eighth Straight Win

Tang Kai has long been asking to face a top-five contender in the featherweight mixed martial arts rankings, and he proved that he’s worthy in his return to the Circle.

The Chinese star needed just a single round to finish “The Big Heart” Yoon Chang Min in their co-main event showdown at ONE: NEXTGEN II, which aired on Friday, 12 November. 

The match opened with Yoon throwing kicks and then attempting a takedown, but the Sunkin International Fight Club representative easily shrugged it off.

Yoon’s plan to take the action to the ground quickly became justifiable as Tang began to impose his control of the bout on the feet.

Utilizing his quick jab to set up his attacks, the Chinese athlete landed three consecutive clean body shots and then connected with a stiff left hook that stifled his rival.

“The Big Heart” responded with an overhand right, but the strike failed to make contact. Tang then landed another body shot, which only frustrated the South Korean even more.

Yoon continued to search for a takedown, but his opponent’s defense was up to the task, so he settled for short punches and kicks instead.

With growing confidence, Tang continued to walk down his foe while stinging him with jabs and kicks. But the Team Stungun representative was not out of the running yet, and he pushed forward, even sending a flying knee toward the Chinese phenom.

As the round wore on, Tang began to step up his aggression, and he clipped Yoon’s chin with a sharp high left kick. And though “The Big Heart” scored with a kick and a jab in return, his offensive front was short-lived.

With just over a minute left in the opening stanza, Yoon let his hands relax momentarily, and Tang seized the opportunity to unleash a booming left hook that landed flush on his rival’s jaw, sending him to the mat instantly. 

He followed this up with five more unanswered punches, forcing referee Justin Brown to stop the match at the 4:03 mark of the first round. 

The victory pushed Tang’s record to 13-2 and put him on an eight-fight winning streak. He may also have finally earned a spot in the division’s top-five rankings.

Read more: ONE: NEXTGEN II – Full Results And Highlights For Every Fight