As arguably the greatest Chinese striker of all time, “Demon Blade” Wei Rui is ready to make an instant impact in his ONE Championship debut on Friday, May 3.
The 32-year-old’s first promotional appearance comes in a high-stakes clash against former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion and current #1-ranked divisional contender Hiroki Akimoto at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video, and victory could lead him to a crack at the title.
However, despite his reputation among hardcore kickboxing aficionados, the global fan base may not be too familiar with Wei’s impressive body of work.
With that in mind, here are five fast facts about “Demon Blade” ahead of his showdown with Akimoto at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
#1 He Comes From A Sanda Background
(@weirui_xiaoqigedou)Wei’s striking background is in sanda, a Chinese martial art that incorporates boxing and kickboxing along with some clinch work and takedowns.
From this, the Henan native has formulated a style that differs from proponents of Muay Thai and the Dutch style of kickboxing that are common.
Wei has kept the elements of the art that work for him – like fast side kicks and hook kicks – and blended them with additions from other disciplines to make him a formidable stand-up practitioner with lots of tools in his arsenal.
#2 He’s Riding A 20-Fight Winning Streak
Boasting an incredible 69-3 record, Wei will enter the world’s largest martial arts organization on a stunning 20-fight winning streak.
This dates back to his last defeat in March 2018, and “Demon Blade” has gone on a tear in his homeland since then.
However, Wei is still eager to test his skills against the top dogs on the international circuit, and that’s why he’s bringing his talents to ONE.
#3 He’s A Pound-For-Pound Great
Wei’s lengthy span of success means he has been ranked as one of the greatest pound-for-pound kickboxers on the planet for several years.
The Chinese athlete has held high standings in multiple weight classes and fought elite competition from all over the world, leading him to be placed among the likes of Superbon, Chingiz Allazov, and Marat Grigorian.
“Demon Blade” wants to remain up there with those legendary names, and he will as long as he takes out the best of the best in ONE.
#4 He’s Highly Decorated
Wei earned his reputation by competing in some of the toughest kickboxing tournaments on the planet.
After claiming regional and international accolades in sanda, he took his skills to the world stage.
In 2015, the Chinese superstar won the WLF Championship Tournament, and then he added the famously grueling K-1 Lightweight World Grand Prix Title to his resume two years later. In the process, he became China’s first K-1 World Champion in history.
The belts have piled up since then. But now, Wei’s eyes are on the biggest one of them all.
#5 He’s Beaten Legends
Wei has faced tough opposition throughout his career, and he has defeated some colossal names.
Among them are Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Petpanomrung Kiatmoo9, Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Pakorn PK Saenchai, and iconic slugger Thanonchai Thanakorngym.
Now, Wei looks to beat more world-class athletes, like Akimoto on May 3, as he attempts to cement his legacy in combat sports.