ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 has proven that he is arguably the best pound-for-pound striker today, but he’s still looking to challenge himself further.
“The Kicking Machine” was in attendance this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 19, where he witnessed Jonathan Haggerty’s successful defense of the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship against Felipe Lobo.
Superlek is ready to fight anyone, unfazed by the challenges
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Like “The General,” Superlek has a huge target on his back in ONE, thanks to his wins against flyweight Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon and kickboxing icon Takeru in back-to-back battles. The first of which broke multiple viewership records across the globe, and the second set a ONE Championship record for ticket sales.
Speaking to Nic Atkin of Sportskeeda MMA following the event, the Thai superstar said he understands the weight of the gold on his shoulder, and he is willing to fight anyone who dares to take it.
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“I’m the kickboxing champion so I understand that everyone wants to fight me and I’m a champion, I’m not afraid of anyone. So I could fight anyone, anywhere, anytime,” Superlek said.
Last year, the Kiatmoo9 Gym representative expressed his desire to take on Haggerty after the Englishman shocked the world by defeating Nong-O Hama at ONE Fight Night 9 to claim the bantamweight Muay Thai strap.
Will the kickboxing champion move to the bantamweight division?
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While it may have been a little farfetched at the time, the possibility of their blockbuster matchup happening is becoming more likely now, especially after Superlek’s last two wins. The division that he reigns over may be stacked with talent, but a move up would make even more blockbuster matchups available to him.
Asked if he was still open to challenging Haggerty, Superlek said he would prefer to test himself against another star in the bantamweight division first before he sets his sights on the two-sport titleholder.
“Well you know the answer [on who I want next] but I’d just like to clarify that it’s not that I have like any specific target. I just really want to have a nice challenge to myself, to my career, so you know moving up to bantamweight, that would be a good challenge,” he said.
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“I think I would like want to fight [Jonathan Haggerty] but have one more fight before facing him. That would be great.”