South Korea’s Min Sung Kang made an unforgettable first impression in ONE Championship, knocking out Japan’s Yusei Iwakura with a devastating right hook in the second round of their lightweight MMA bout at ONE Friday Fights 161.
South Korea’s Min Sung Kang announced himself on the international stage in emphatic fashion, knocking out Japan’s Yusei Iwakura in the second round of their lightweight MMA bout at ONE Friday Fights 161 on July 10, 2026, inside the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Representing Korean Top Team, Kang remained composed throughout a competitive contest before delivering the fight-ending sequence at 2:07 of Round 2. A perfectly timed right hook landed flush on Iwakura’s chin, instantly ending the bout and giving the Korean prospect an unforgettable finish in his promotional debut.
The victory improves Kang’s professional mixed martial arts record to 4-1, while Iwakura falls to 4-3.
A Breakout Performance for Korean Top Team
Making a successful promotional debut is never easy, especially under the bright lights of ONE Championship’s Friday Fights series, which has become one of Asia’s premier proving grounds for rising talent.
Kang showed patience throughout the contest against the aggressive Japanese fighter, picking his moments rather than forcing exchanges. As the second round progressed, the Korean began finding cleaner entries before uncorking the decisive right hand that instantly changed the fight.
The knockout showcased both Kang’s composure and finishing ability, qualities that could quickly earn him additional opportunities on future ONE Championship cards.
For Korean MMA, the win also continues a strong run of performances by the country’s next generation of prospects competing internationally.
Min Sung Kang’s Record Improves to 4-1
The victory represents the biggest win of Kang’s young career.
Not only was it his first appearance under the ONE Championship banner, but it also came via highlight-reel knockout against an experienced opponent. Winning in such convincing fashion immediately puts Kang on the radar as another Korean prospect worth watching as he continues to develop.
Training out of the respected Korean Top Team, Kang joins a long list of fighters from the gym to compete on the international stage.
ONE Friday Fights 161 Results
ONE Friday Fights 161 featured ten bouts across Muay Thai, kickboxing, submission grappling and mixed martial arts at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The event was headlined by a flyweight Muay Thai contest between Jaradchai Maxjandee and Othman Rhouni, while South Korea’s Min Sung Kang produced one of the night’s most memorable MMA finishes in his promotional debut.
Official Results
- Jaradchai Maxjandee def. Othman Rhouni — Unanimous Decision (Flyweight Muay Thai)
- Petsiam T2A Waterubon def. Nihad Taghizade — TKO, Round 1 (1:53) (Strawweight Kickboxing)
- Petsangwan Sor Samarngarment def. Tonglampoon FA Group — KO, Round 1 (2:57) (Strawweight Muay Thai)
- Tom Keogh def. Michael Baranov — KO, Round 2 (0:46) (Featherweight Muay Thai)
- Klarob NuiCafeboran def. Omar El Halabi — Unanimous Decision (Flyweight Muay Thai)
- Kulabkaw Luksingnamchai def. Meshal Alsaeed — TKO, Round 2 (1:15) (Bantamweight Muay Thai)
- Go Todoroki def. Alexandre Khan — KO, Round 1 (3:21) (Featherweight MMA)
- Sunvo Torfunfarm def. Khundet PK Saenchai — KO, Round 3 (2:28) (Flyweight Muay Thai)
- Phatiphan Arthinkong def. J Han — Unanimous Decision (Featherweight Submission Grappling)
- Min Sung Kang def. Yusei Iwakura — KO, Round 2 (2:07) (Lightweight MMA)
What’s Next?
With an impressive knockout in his ONE Championship debut, Min Sung Kang has immediately positioned himself as another exciting Korean talent to watch.
ONE Friday Fights has become a launching pad for athletes seeking six-figure contracts with ONE Championship, and performances like Kang’s are exactly the type that attract attention from matchmakers.
If he can build on this momentum, the Korean Top Team representative could soon find himself facing increasingly established competition as he looks to climb the ranks of Asia’s premier MMA organization.
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