Li “The Underdog” Kai‑Wen: From Macau to Kuala Lumpur
Just two weeks after the jaw‑dropping knockout in Macau, Li Kai‑Wen is eye‑balling ahead to the next big fight at ONE Championship. He’s the guy who carved a 10‑second exit in the ring against Rodian Menchavez, leaving nothing but a clean streak and a hot‑under‑hat mentality. Now, the story’s getting drier – Lumi’s aiming for a bout with Emilio “The Honey Badger” Urrutia.
Why He’s Lifting the Weight Again
- “We trained since January.” Li’s team was ready. He didn’t want to waste this momentum.
- “No scratches, no damage.” The swift victory made him feel like the world’s on his side.
- “One employee, no fallback.” Even the CEO, Victor Cui, coaxed him forward.
A fast finish, even if five minutes which was a “surprise…” Li’s style? Aggression + explosiveness = 1‑2‑3. He wanted to press the ropes, size it out, and let the fans see the fire. He wasn’t expecting it against Rodian per se, but the idea of a quick nail‑down was always in his mind.
Preparing for “The Honey Badger”
Encounters with the Yellow‑Captain have been anything but simple. Emilio is:
- “Veteran, fearless, strong.
- Known for solid ground skills and a serious M‑MA training routine at Tiger Muay Thai.
- Previous wins: 1‑unanimous decision over Edward Kelly; 2‑in‑the‑first‑round knockout over Bruno Pucci.
Li says it’s a fight that could become:
- “Fight of the Night”; heck, a “Fight of the Year.”
- “Barn burner” that’ll shake up the circuit.
Friendship Over Facebook
It’s cool – both fighters face each other on Facebook, and they’ve let mutual friends know that they’re ready to entertain the crowd. It’s like two rival chefs sharing ingredients but still wanting a taste of each other’s cuisine.
Future Outlook: Eyes on Martin “The Situ‑Asian” Nguyen
There’s chatter about whether Li will finally get a world title shot. His 22‑year‑old heart wants a title ring with Martin, but for now, it’s all about the next step:
- “Focus on Emilio.”
- “Martin’s great, I’m a great challenger.”
- “A win over Urrutia could move the spotlight right back to Nguyen.”
So as the venue lights blaze in Kuala Lumpur, Li’s going to walk up, grab the gloves, and potentially set the ring ablaze once again. That’s the scoop, without the fluff – and with a bit of the Underdog’s swagger.
