Tang Kai always shows up for the big fights: “It is what a champion should do”

Reigning and undisputed ONE featherweight MMA world champion Tang Kai of China knows his responsibility as a world champion isn't just to defend his 26 pounds of gold.

Tang understands he has to entertain the fans and show up for the biggest fights, because that's what champions do.

Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Tang talked about the pressure heading into his next world title defense, and what he expects of himself when he heads back inside the Circle this weekend.

Speaking to the promotion, Kang said:

"Of course, I have pressure in each fight, but the pressure is also my motivation. I have known my opponents will be stronger and stronger since the day I got the belt, and I am improving myself every day, too. It is what a champion should do."

The Sunkin International Fight Club representative won the undisputed belt in August of 2022, defeating Vietnamese-American star Thanh Le via unanimous decision. He then defeated Thanh Le again via three-round technical knockout just last March to cement his status as king of the division.

Now Tang returns to defend his gold anew.

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Tang Kai to face dangerous Akbar Abdullaev at ONE Fight Night 27 on Prime Video

Chinese superstar Tang Kai returns to the Circle to defend his ONE featherweight MMA world title against unbeaten Kyrgyzstani athlete Akbar Abdullaev.

The two lock horns in the main event of ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Jan. 10.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.