In Review: Superlek Kiatmoo9 Is Building A ‘Striker Of The Year’ Campaign In 2023
Reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion and #1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Superlek Kiatmoo9 is having a career-defining year.
Long considered one of the top pound-for-pound strikers on the planet, the 27-year-old sensation has further solidified his reputation with three captivating wins in 2023. But with six more months left to the year, the best may be yet to come.
On Friday, July 14, “The Kicking Machine” will try to add another unforgettable victory to his dazzling resume when he collides with surging Russian knockout artist Tagir Khalilov in the main event of ONE Fight Night 12 on Prime Video.
Before the action gets underway live in U.S. primetime at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, let’s take a closer look at Superlek’s 2023 campaign and explore why he could become the Striker of the Year.
Superlek Captures Vacant World Title In Firefight With Puertas
The Kiatmoo9 Gym representative kicked off his year in a high-stakes battle for the vacant ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title, as he faced dangerous Spanish contender Daniel Puertas in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov on Prime Video this past January.
For 25 action-packed minutes, Superlek proved that, despite being called “The Kicking Machine,” he possesses an incredibly diverse striking game – a game that includes crispy boxing, punishing intercepting knees, and, of course, his trademark kicks.
And while Puertas put up plenty of resistance, the Thai athlete’s potent offense was more than enough to secure him a unanimous decision victory and, most importantly, 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold around his waist.
Superlek Starches Williams, Retains World Championship
For his first ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title defense, Superlek squared off against Australian underdog and fan favorite Danial “Mini T” Williams in the main event of ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video.
Williams’ was beaming with confidence ahead of the matchup. But when the duo met inside the Circle in late March, the Thai superstar had the edge and his ruthless finishing instincts were on full display.
The Aussie proved to be a tricky test early, but the defending World Champion remained patient. And when the time was right, he expertly picked “Mini T” apart with vicious kicks and counter-punches.
Ultimately, Superlek found the highlight-reel stoppage in the third round, as he connected with a step-in knee, unloaded a flurry of savage punches, and punctuated the attack with a right cross that sent the challenger melting to the canvas.
Superlek Demolishes Anane In Return To Muay Thai
Most recently, at ONE Friday Fights 22 last month, the flyweight kickboxing king returned to his Muay Thai roots to battle 19-year-old prodigy and two-division WBC Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane.
Superlek is certainly no stranger to “the art of eight limbs” – after all, he is the #1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender and a former two-division Lumpinee Stadium World Champion.
“The Kicking Machine” showed the world how skilled and dangerous he truly is in Muay Thai, needing less than one round to send his towering foe down for the count with a body shot.
With the victory, Superlek signaled his intention to chase two-sport glory in ONE – a goal that he confirmed after the bout when he called out reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan Haggerty. But before that is even a consideration, he’ll need to get past Khalilov on July 14.
