The Best Bouts Of 2016 #4: Martin Nguyen Vs Li Kai Wen

Before authoring one of most exciting submission finishes of the year, Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen took on China’s most promising featherweight, the 21-year-old Li Kai Wen. Nguyen, the former Brace featherweight champion, met Li at the center of the ONE Championship cage looking for all-out war.

The two fighters blasted each other with powerful strikes from the get-go, bringing the fans to the edge of their seats in excitement. They wasted absolutely no time in tagging each other repeatedly with heavy-handed punches and kicks, which is what fans were expecting in a battle between two highly-aggressive fighters.

Li is the ONE Championship Beijing featherweight tournament winner, and lived up to expectations by giving Nguyen a stiff challenge. Yet despite Li’s constant attack, Nguyen was able to fight a smart, intelligent fight to earn one of the best finishes of his young career.

Recognizing Li’s inclination towards a striking battle, Nguyen worked hard to bring the fight to the mat where he felt more comfortable. On the ground, Nguyen stifled Li with his smooth transitions and ground control.

Within moments, Nguyen was able to take Li’s back and it was all downhill for the Chinese from there. Nguyen repeatedly blasted away at Li who covered up, scrambling to defend against the attack. That was pretty much all it took, and Nguyen earned a thrilling first-round technical knockout.