Kang started his professional career in 2007. He fought mainly for international promotions, such as Spirit Martial Challenge,
Art of War and
DEEP.
Road Fighting Championship Kang faced Shoko Sato in the quarterfinal match of
ROAD FC bantamweight tournament on March 24, 2012, at
Road FC 7. He won via submission due to an armbar in the second round. In the semifinal on June 16, 2012, at
Road FC 8, Kang faced Jae Hoon Moon. He won via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round. On the same day, Kang faced Andrew Leone in the final. Once again Kang won via submission due to a rear-naked choke in round two and was crowned the first-ever Road FC bantamweight champion. In July 2012, it was announced that Kang had signed a contract to compete in the
Bantamweight division of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Kang was expected to face
Alex Caceres on November 10, 2012, at
UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le. Kang/Caceres finally took place on March 3, 2013, at
UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann. Caceres originally won the fight via split decision, but the result was later changed to a no contest after Caceres tested positive for
marijuana. Kang faced
Chico Camus on August 31, 2013, at
UFC 164. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27). Kang faced
Shunichi Shimizu on January 4, 2014, at
UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim. He won the fight via submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the third round. Kang was expected to face
Chris Holdsworth on May 24, 2014, at
UFC 173. However, Kang pulled out of the bout and was replaced by
Chico Camus. Kang faced
Michinori Tanaka on September 20, 2014, at
UFC Fight Night 52. He won the fight via split decision, and both fighters would earn
Fight of the Night honors for their efforts. Kang put a hold on his career to serve his two-year commitment for
mandatory South Korean military service. In December 2017 he returned from hiatus to face
Guido Cannetti on January 14, 2018, at
UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi. He won the fight via submission in the first round. Kang faced
Ricardo Ramos on August 4, 2018, at
UFC 227. He lost the fight by split decision. Kang faced
Teruto Ishihara on February 10, 2019, at
UFC 234. He won the fight via a submission in round one. Kang faced
Brandon Davis on August 17, 2019, at
UFC 241. He won the fight via split decision. Kang faced
Liu Pingyuan on December 21, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN+ 23. He won the fight via split decision. Kang was scheduled to face
Rani Yahya on July 31, 2021, at
UFC on ESPN 28. However the bout was cancelled a few hours before happening due to Yahya
testing positive for COVID-19. The bout was ultimately rebooked to take place on November 20, 2021, at
UFC Fight Night 198. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Kang was scheduled to face Saimon Oliveira on June 11, 2022, at
UFC 275. However, Oliveira withdrew from the event for unknown reasons and he was replaced by
Danaa Batgerel. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Kang faced
Cristian Quiñónez on June 17, 2023, at
UFC on ESPN 47. He won the bout in the first round, submitting Cristian via rear-naked choke in the first round after knocking him down with a punch. Kang was initially scheduled to face
John Castañeda on November 18, 2023, at
UFC Fight Night 232. However, the bout was shifted to take place one week earlier on November 11, 2023, at
UFC 295. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Kang faced Muin Gafurov on June 22, 2024, at
UFC on ABC 6. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. On January 7, 2025, it was announced that Kang was released by the UFC. ==Personal life==