The audience at the Singapore Indoor Stadium already had their money’s worth after witnessing a number of enthralling bouts at ONE Fight Night 8. But, a third-round KO finish to the main event by Superlek Kiatmoo9, served as the cherry on top of the cake. A change of opponents just a few days prior to the bout didn’t bother ‘The Kicking Machine’. He managed to defend his ONE Flyweight Kickboxing world quite dominantly. Previously, his original opponent, the coveted Rodtang Jitmuangnon, forfeited the bout due to an injury.
But recent reports revealed Rodtang will be attending a US seminar tour despite his decision to withdraw from the ONE Fight Night 8 main event. This news also had Superlek’s training partner and fellow ONE colleague, Liam Harrison, criticizing ‘The Iron Man’. However, ‘The Kicking Machine’ took a more accepting approach when he was asked to provide his opinion about the same.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 personally knew about Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s injury
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The ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Champ, Rodtang, revealed his ‘lower back injury’ news on 20 March 2023 while he was scheduled to fight Superlek on the 25th of the same month. But Superlek’s words hinted that probably he personally knew about Rodtang sustaining an injury prior to the bout.
Talking to ‘South China Morning Post’, ‘The Kicking Machine’ stated, “No, I don’t have anything against him because he really is injured and his schedule on the seminars is a separate thing.” He also said, “I know he has hurt his body, so it’s OK.”
Rodtang’s last-minute replacement, Danial ‘Mini-T’ Williams didn’t cause many problems for Superlek. ‘The Thai’ started to take control of the bout from the second round.
He scored his first knockdown with a vicious kick in the third round. Soon after Williams recovered from it, he was knocked out with a brutal right ending the fight there only.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 wants Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World
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Although they couldn’t face off against each other this time. Superlek was quite confident that his clash with Rodtang was almost inevitable. He also had a wish if the two Thai combat legends come face to face. Superlek talked to ‘The Post’ stating, “Since I have already defended this belt in kickboxing, if I can choose I would rather go and challenge for the belt with Rodtang in Muay Thai”.
However, Rodtang will be defending his title against Edgar Tabares on ONE’s debut event in the US on 5 May. It’s evident that Superlek will hope Rodtang defends his title successfully.
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After the third-round KO finish and the $50,oo0 bonus from the ONE CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, ‘The Kicking Machine’ is currently booming with confidence. He now awaits his next matchup and hopes to lock horns with ‘The Iron Man’ soon.
Who do you think will come out as the victor of this touted bout?
