Kim Jae Woong and Tang Kai Will Clash
The featherweight contenders meet at ONE Championship: Only The Brave to determine the next title challenger.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Will the upcoming match between Kim and Tang end in a knockout as predicted?
Kim Jae Woong and Tang Kai are set to face off in a number-one contender match at the upcoming ONE Championship: Only The Brave event. The winner of this bout will move on to challenge for the ONE featherweight title.
Why it matters
This fight serves as a critical milestone in the ONE featherweight division, establishing the next athlete to challenge the champion. The outcome will clarify the hierarchy of the division as title plans are solidified for the coming months.
Tang Kai enters the cage riding an 8-fight win streak dating back to April 2017, while Kim Jae Woong carries a 2-fight winning streak. The event at Singapore Indoor Stadium is scheduled to air at 7:30 a.m. ET.
The players
Kim Jae Woong
A South Korean mixed martial artist who is currently riding a two-fight winning streak.
Tang Kai
A Chinese fighter who has maintained an eight-fight winning streak in his professional career.
Thanh Le
The reigning ONE featherweight titleholder who is scheduled to defend his championship in March.
Garry Tonon
A challenger set to face Thanh Le for the ONE featherweight title on March 11.
The details
The fighters have spent time exchanging verbal challenges following their recent successful runs in the organization. The bout is widely anticipated to provide a definitive path toward the featherweight championship held by Thanh Le.
Timeline
Tang Kai has not lost a professional fight since April 2017.
Kim Jae Woong defeated Martin Nguyen by TKO in September 2021.
Thanh Le will defend the ONE featherweight title against Garry Tonon on March 11.
Season Trajectory
The match directly impacts the division's rankings by establishing a mandatory contender for the winner of the upcoming title defense between Thanh Le and Garry Tonon. This fight ensures the promotional ladder remains clear for the division's future title-match schedule.
The winner of this bout secures the next opportunity to fight for the ONE featherweight title. Viewers can watch the main card action live via the streaming broadcast scheduled for 7:30 a.m. ET.
The takeaway
This match highlights the intensity of the ONE featherweight division as top-ranked contenders vie for championship legitimacy. Fans should look for how the winner matches up stylistically against the current titleholder after the conclusion of this event.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the promotion, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Combat Press.
Live Poll
Will the upcoming match between Kim and Tang end in a knockout as predicted?
