Silent Thunder: 3 Weapons That Make Liu Mengyang A Dangerous Opponent For Tawanchai At ONE Friday Fights 137
The rise of Chinese sensation “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang in ONE Championship has been rapid, measured, and very difficult to overlook.
In only three appearances, the 22-year-old has scored upset victories over elite names, pushed seasoned veterans into tense decisions, and shown composure beyond his age. With each outing, he has revealed more layers to his striking game and strengthened his reputation as one of China’s brightest talents.
That momentum now brings Liu to the biggest opportunity of his career at ONE Friday Fights 137.
On Friday, December 19, he’ll face ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai in a three-round featherweight kickboxing tilt inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
As the long-awaited matchup approaches, Liu enters the Thai capital with tools that make him a genuine threat in the division. These are three weapons that could shape his showdown with Tawanchai.
#1 Lightning Counterpunching That Can Instantly Shift Momentum
Liu’s counterpunching has become his calling card in the world’s largest martial arts organization. It is rooted in timing, patience, and the confidence to stand directly in the pocket and strike at the exact moment an opponent commits.
His promotional debut against former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri highlighted that skill.
Rather than easing into the bout, Liu read the Japanese icon’s rhythm early, stepped into range, and connected with a looping right hand that scored a knockdown within the first minute. The shot was clean and calculated, revealing his firm understanding of distance and opportunity.
The same precision surfaced against #3-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Shadow Singha Mawynn.
After one round of studying the Thai’s forward pressure, Liu waited for the perfect moment to intercept him with a right–left counter combination. Shadow collapsed to the canvas, and the momentum swung instantly in Liu’s favor.
Even in a narrow defeat to Mohammad Siasarani, Liu’s counters remained a threat from start to finish. His Iranian adversary created problems with volume and stance switches, but Liu consistently responded with crisp punches that kept the fight competitive.
This, however, is not a new development. Before entering ONE, Liu built a 21-fight winning streak through the same disciplined counterpunching. He does not require many opportunities to influence the outcome of a fight, only the right ones.
#2 Durability That Allows Him To Stay Present In Every Exchange
Liu’s defensive foundation is built on resilience. He is not a fighter who relies on elaborate footwork or evasive angles. Instead, he stands firm, absorbs shots with balance, and remains composed enough to fire back with purpose.
Noiri tested that resilience in their bout, targeting Liu’s body with heavy combinations. Many athletes fold under such pressure, but the Chinese standout stayed upright, continued trading at close range, and even closed the match with late momentum. It was a clear demonstration of physical strength and mental discipline.
Against Siasarani, he encountered a different challenge. The Iranian found success from southpaw and landed several clean left hands in the second round.
Liu absorbed those strikes without retreating. His posture remained steady, and he kept returning fire, forcing the judges into a tight decision.
Shadow presented another unique puzzle with his Muay Thai weapons incorporated into a kickboxing ruleset. Liu absorbed knees and kicks throughout the encounter, then turned the tables with a well-timed knockdown.
His ability to remain composed while under attack allowed him to produce the fight’s most significant moment.
This durability keeps Liu present in exchanges where others might fade. Opponents must break through both his guard and his resolve, because even when he absorbs damage, he continues fighting with full intention.
#3 A Reliable Gas Tank That Sustains Chaos
In every bout he’s had in ONE so far, Liu has shown an ability to maintain pace and focus even as exchanges intensify.
His victory over Noiri required constant engagement at close range, a high work rate, and the stamina to recover from punishing body attacks. Liu’s output held steady through all three rounds and carried him to a unanimous decision against a World Championship-caliber striker.
Siasarani forced him into long stretches of countering from the back foot, a style that demands endurance and concentration. Yet Liu remained sharp into the final minutes, continuing to trade and threaten until the final bell.
His clash with Shadow was perhaps the most chaotic of the three, featuring heavy punches, knockdowns, and nonstop action. Despite the frantic pace, Liu entered round three with renewed purpose and matched Shadow strike for strike until the end.
That ability to remain dangerous from start to finish is one of Liu’s strongest assets. As he prepares to meet Tawanchai — a fighter known for precision and power — Liu’s steady gas tank could play a crucial role in the three-round encounter.
