The stakes couldn't be higher at ONE Fight Night 43, where reigning featherweight MMA world champion Tang Kai puts his belt on the line against Russia's submission ace Shamil "The Cobra" Gasanov. The action goes down this Friday, May 15, live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Prime Video—and both men have a clear path to victory.

Tang Kai made history as the first male Chinese MMA world champion in ONE Championship, and he brings five knockout finishes in the promotion into this bout. His opponent, Gasanov, rides a five-fight win streak and is hungry to become Russia's next ONE titleholder. Here's what each fighter needs to do to walk out with 26 pounds of gold.

Key for Tang: Keep it standing

Tang has rarely been taken down across nine ONE appearances, and that trend must continue against a submission specialist like Gasanov. The Qingdao native is a former wrestler who knows the grappling game inside out. His sprawl is quick and well-timed, and he's shown the ability to scramble away when a leg gets caught. Every time Tang has kept the fight standing in ONE, he's won. The striking gap between these two is significant—Tang's accuracy, timing, and finishing power make him a serious threat the moment Gasanov is forced to engage on the feet.

But Gasanov's double-leg is most effective when he counters strikes or uses the fence for leverage. Tang must stay disciplined with his footwork, avoid getting pinned against the ropes, and make Gasanov pay for every takedown attempt with sharp counters.

Key for Gasanov: Get it to the mat

Gasanov makes no secret of his intentions. He wants this fight on the ground, and his ability to drag Tang down early could be the decisive factor. "The Cobra" is most dangerous when he ducks under punches, catches a kick, or uses the ring turnbuckles to finish his double-leg. Once the fight hits the mat, he's relentless—moving through half-guard to side control before hunting for his guillotine or rear-naked choke. His knees from front-headlock position and ground-and-pound from top add another layer of danger that can wear opponents down and open submission opportunities.

For fight fans, this is a classic striker versus grappler matchup with world title implications. Whether Tang's knockout power or Gasanov's submission wizardry prevails, one thing is certain: Lumpinee Stadium will witness fireworks.