Meet Li Kai Wen, the Chinese MMA phenom who just put One Championship on notice with scary KO
- The ‘Underdog’ delivers stunning 141-second knockout, as Paul Lumihi leaves ring on stretcher at Masters of Fate in Manila
- The 24-year-old sends statement to bantamweight division after 16 months out – ‘that’s not the best Li Kai Wen, maybe just 60 per cent’
As he waits in the Mall of Asia Arena’s backstage media room to speak to the Post, Chinese MMA phenom Li Kai Wen stares coldly at his phone, analysing the destruction he has just unleashed in the ring.
“Here comes Li Kai Wen!” booms the voice of One Championship commentator Michael Schiavello on the video, as the 24-year-old brutally knocks out Paul Lumihi before the bell rings at 2:39 of the first round in last Friday’s bout.
“Tonight is fine … but it’s not the best Li Kai Wen. Maybe just 60 per cent,” he says, rather chillingly. “This is my first time going down to bantamweight. I feel a little tired. It’s different in featherweight.
“I think I need more time in bantamweight. I just need to keeping going, get better and better. Maybe next time is 80 per cent. Next time 100 per cent, 200 per cent.”
Snapping Lumihi’s head back with a left hand, Li sent the Indonesian crashing to the canvas unconscious with a right uppercut. Just like that, 16 months of frustration was eradicated in 141 seconds.