After dominating the Muay Thai world, “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 has decided to make the transition to kickboxing and is ready for his first challenge in the striking discipline.
The 24-year-old is scheduled to meet Tunisia’s Fahdi “The Gladiator” Khaled in a ONE Super Series kickboxing flyweight affair at ONE: A NEW BREED II. The event, which was previously recorded in Bangkok, airs on Friday, 11 September.
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A win would see Superlek hold his position as ONE Championship’s #2-ranked flyweight contender in the Muay Thai and kickboxing divisions, and it could possibly earn him a shot at either sport’s ONE World Champion.
“I am a bit worried that I might make a mistake because ONE Championship has set the rules to kickboxing, and I have been fighting in Muay Thai,” Superlek said.
“I have studied the kickboxing rules, and I have tried to train under the kickboxing format, focusing on punches and leg kicks.”
Stylistically, Superlek couldn’t have asked for a better opponent.
Khaled, although competing mostly under Muay Thai rules, has a traditional kickboxing background.
“From what I have seen from his latest match, he has very heavy fists, [head] kicks, and leg kicks,” Superlek said. “He sometimes kicks at his opponent’s face. Sometimes, there’s a leg kick. His weapons are diverse.”
But that’s not all.
“His punches can fly at any moment,” the Thai star added.
Superlek’s game plan against the unpredictable Tunisian is simple: use his expertise to stay close and attack often.
“The plan for this fight is to be up close because it’s three rounds. I have to be up close and attack frequently and precisely,” Superlek said.
“Mainly, I do not want to take a step back. I want to be aggressive and attack constantly for those three rounds. In this fight, I will make it happen.”
Watch the previously recorded ONE: A NEW BREED II this Friday, 11 September, at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT) on meWATCH or by downloading the ONE Super App. Also, Channel 5 will provide a same-day delay at 10 p.m. SGT.
Read More From ONE Championship:
Sean Clancy: Beating Superstar Pongsiri ‘Would Mean Everything’
Fahdi Khaled Aims For Kickboxing Upset: ‘Superlek Doesn’t Scare Me’
Pongsiri Hoping To KO Fellow World Champion In Bantamweight Debut
