ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 is making a quick turnaround to continue his quest for Muay Thai gold. ‘The Kicking Machine’ is now set to appear in the main event of ONE Fight Night 12 on Prime Video on July 14 – less than a month after his latest win at ONE Friday Fights 22.

Superlek will take on talented striking prospect Tagir Khalilov in flyweight Muay Thai action in the banner out of the star-studded show, replacing Roman Kryklia and Francesko Xhaja, whose ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title had to be canceled after the latter suffered an injury.

Fans can expect an enthralling matchup between Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Tagir Khalilov

The flyweight kickboxing king and the dangerous Russian have valiantly stepped in to fill the void, and their showdown will certainly do that. Superlek is fresh from an incredible first-round TKO win over towering teenage Muay Thai phenom Nabil Anane at ONE Friday Fights 22 on Friday, June 23. 

He kept his unbeaten run in ONE’s Muay Thai ranks alive with the impressive performance and furthered his claims for a shot at a second World Title. Following the victory, the top-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender expressed his desire to move up to bantamweight to challenge Jonathan Haggerty for his strap in an effort to bring it back to Thailand.

But, in taking on a match against Khalilov, it appears that the Thai superstar is not about done in the flyweight division. However, he’ll have a major challenge in front of him at ONE Fight Night 12.

Khalilov made his promotional debut at ONE: Fists of Fury in February 2021, where he gave ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon a serious run for his money. He only lost by a split decision on that occasion, making it clear he was one to watch. 

Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Tagir Khalilov have different plans after a win

The razor-sharp Russian boasts 24 wins in Muay Thai and kickboxing, including back-to-back first-round knockout wins in ONE, with the most recent one coming against ‘Thailand’s Black Panther’ at ONE Friday Fights 9 in March. 

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Khalilov will be hungry to take out one of the biggest stars in Thailand, and with their battle going down in Superlek’s backyard at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, he’ll be even more motivated to snatch a rousing victory. Meanwhile, another success on the global stage for Superlek will ensure that he has the pick of whoever, whatever, and wherever he wants next in ONE.

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