"Spirit Dragon" Liu Mengyang shocked the entire combat sports world on Friday, December 19, as he finished ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai in just 52 seconds at ONE Friday Fights 137. The bone-crunching leg kick TKO inside Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium marked the 22-year-old's third promotional statement victory over elite competition in the past year, positioning him as arguably the most dangerous contender to the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title. With his biggest scalp now claimed and momentum firmly on his side, Liu has made it crystal clear – he’s ready for championship gold in 2026.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Liu Mengyang authored what will likely stand as the defining moment of his professional career when he crumpled Tawanchai PK Saenchai with a brutal inside calf kick that ended the main event in under a minute. The Shunyuan Fight Club representative needed only four strikes to the same spot on the Thai superstar's lead leg before the damage became catastrophic.

Tawanchai opened aggressively, landing a powerful teep that briefly sat Liu down on the mat. However, the Chinese striker remained composed and immediately fired back with a sharp right hand that drove the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym representative toward the ropes. As Tawanchai continued using his signature push kick to manage distance, Liu remained patient and methodical, waiting for his opportunity to execute the game plan he'd drilled relentlessly in training.

The fourth calf kick proved decisive. Tawanchai buckled to the canvas, and the audible crack told the story before the referee even began his count. The Thai champion tried valiantly to rise, but he couldn't beat the count, giving Liu a spectacular TKO victory at the 52-second mark that improved his record to 35-7.

"I felt a very crisp sound. His legs were too thin. Maybe my feet were too strong," Liu said. "I feel very happy and very excited, but at the same time I'm a little worried about Tawanchai. I saw he hurt his leg and I'm a little worried about him. I hope he can recover soon.”

The Perfect Game Plan Executed Flawlessly

Liu Mengyang didn't stumble into this historic upset – he engineered it through meticulous preparation at Shunyuan Fight Club. For weeks leading up to ONE Friday Fights 137, the Chinese striker worked with his coach and training partners to identify specific techniques that could exploit Tawanchai's fighting style. They settled on three potential fight-ending strikes and drilled each one obsessively.

The calf kick that ultimately finished the contest and broke Tawanchai’s leg represented just one weapon in Liu's arsenal. He also prepared a devastating body kick and power punches as alternative paths to victory, believing at least one of the three would connect cleanly if executed at the right moment. His confidence stemmed not just from physical preparation but also from extensive psychological conditioning that convinced him a knockout was inevitable.

"I prepared three techniques before the fight. One was a calf kick, the other was a kick to the stomach, and the last one was a punch. Before the fight, I was thinking that one of these three techniques would knock him out," Liu said. "I thought I would definitely get a KO because I did a lot of psychological training and a lot of real training. So, I think I could definitely do a KO. I knew it. I knew this was going to happen.”

The Championship Path Becomes Clear

Liu Mengyang has assembled an undeniable résumé over the past 12 months that demands championship consideration. His knockout of former K-1 Champion Masaaki Noiri in his promotional debut last December announced his arrival. His victory over Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Shadow Singha Mawynn last September proved the Noiri win wasn't a fluke. Now, destroying Tawanchai – who had defeated current ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon twice in Muay Thai – completes a trio of statement wins that establishes the Chinese striker as the division's most dangerous threat.

Superbon currently sits atop the featherweight kickboxing mountain without a clear next challenger. Rumors had circulated about a potential showdown with Marat Grigorian, but Liu's spectacular 52-second demolition of Tawanchai may have rendered those plans obsolete. “Spirit Dragon" didn't just win impressively – he eliminated the man many considered Superbon's toughest potential opponent in shocking fashion.

Liu made his intentions perfectly clear in his post-fight interview. He's not interested in more tune-up fights or gradually working his way up the rankings. After toppling three elite strikers over the past year, the Chinese striker believes he's earned the right to challenge for gold immediately, and it's difficult to argue against that logic given his recent performances.

"I think that beating him is very important for my career because this fight will make me closer to the championship and closer to my dream," Liu said. "For my next match, I want the belt, Superbon. Your belt! It's time to put it on my shoulder!"

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