‘I Simply Must Win This Fight’ – Superlek Jitmuangnon, Rhouni Set For Head-On Collision At ONE Friday Fights 172
Three and a half years after securing a ONE Championship debut victory that left him ultimately unsatisfied, Superlek Jitmuangnon is returning to the global stage determined to prove his evolution.
The 22-year-old Thai standout meets Othman “The Ironside” Rhouni in the bantamweight Muay Thai main event of ONE Friday Fights 172 on Friday, September 25. The action broadcasts live in Asia primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Superlek has spent his time away sharpening a far more offensive style while collecting championship gold on Thailand’s traditional five-round circuit. Rhouni, meanwhile, has already shown immense danger against elite opposition. He heads into his third ONE appearance convinced that improved preparation will finally translate those brilliant flashes into a breakthrough victory.
Both men intend to seize the initiative the moment the opening bell rings, setting the stage for a highly tactical battle over range and pace as they chase a life-changing US$100,000 ONE main roster contract.
Superlek Returns With A More Aggressive Style
Superlek’s last ONE appearance came all the way back in March 2023, when he outpointed Sonrak Fairtex in his promotional debut.
While the result went his way, the performance stayed with him for different reasons.
The Jitmuangnon Gym representative felt he had spent far too much of the fight retreating and reacting. The lingering criticism of that tactical approach only strengthened his desire to develop his arsenal elsewhere before returning to the fast-paced three-round format.
He said:
“I’m really excited and super happy to be back fighting here. Back then, after my fight against Sonrak, I wasn’t really satisfied with my performance, so I went back to rebuild my confidence on the traditional five-round circuit.
“I always wanted to come back, but the timing just wasn’t right. Returning this time, I really want to show everyone what I’m truly capable of.”
Superlek has plenty to show for those years away.
He masterfully captured the Channel 7 Stadium 135-pound title in 2025 and followed that achievement by claiming the 140-pound Thailand National Championship this year.
More importantly for Friday’s matchup, he firmly believes those rigorous experiences have fundamentally changed the way he fights. The Thai technician still trusts his timing and ability to pick opponents apart, but he has added significantly more offense to his repertoire and no longer wants extended periods of retreat to define his performances.
He said:
“I’m a technical, evasive fighter who picks his shots, but I won’t have that habit of running away like I did three years ago. I’ve added elbows to my arsenal.
“Three years ago, I retreated too much. It almost looked like I was running for my life in there. I know ONE fans don’t like fighters who just run away, so in this fight, you won’t see that from me. I’ve brought new weapons with me.”
Those new weapons will be severely tested by an opponent Superlek believes carries genuine, fight-ending danger with his hands.
He has taken particular notice of Rhouni’s boxing, speed, height, and reach. Superlek anticipates much of the contest unfolding at range, where he meticulously plans to answer the Moroccan’s heavy hands with sharp kicks and teeps.
He said:
“Othman’s most dangerous weapons are his punches, along with his height and long reach. He’s slightly taller than me. His speed is also great.
“I think you’ll see us battle mostly from the outside because I’m not really an inside clinch-heavy fighter anyway. For the outside game, I’ve prepared all kinds of kicks and teeps.”
Rhouni Targets Breakthrough With Relentless Pressure
Rhouni has already demonstrated that he truly belongs opposite formidable competition in his short ONE tenure.
The 25-year-old Moroccan made his promotional debut in bantamweight kickboxing against seven-time Muay Thai World Champion Panpayak Jitmuangnon, pushing the decorated Thai icon to a razor-thin split decision.
He then showcased his finishing threat against Jaradchai Maxjandee at ONE Friday Fights 161, dropping the young finisher with a sharp left hook during their July main event.
Rhouni believes a fading gas tank prevented him from sustaining his best work that night and asserts his team has since made the necessary structural adjustments.
He said:
“The main reason was definitely my gas tank. By the second round, I felt completely drained. I felt like a zombie in there. We made a lot of adjustments because we learned from those past mistakes.”
Rhouni has spent roughly nine months grinding at Venum Training Camp, where his regular rounds have come against an assortment of high-level teammates rather than one designated sparring partner.
That iron-sharpens-iron environment has only strengthened his absolute belief in the aggressive strategy he plans to employ against Superlek.
“The Ironside” said:
“The plan is simple: I’m going to put heavy pressure on him and close the distance immediately. From watching his five-round fights, I know Superlek relies heavily on his kicks when he has space.
“So, I won’t give him that space to kick freely. I’m going to walk him down, stay close, and throw heavy combinations – punches and fast kicks – to keep scoring points. If he tries to clinch, I’m ready to fight in the clinch with him.”
Rhouni is also sticking with the exact weapon that has already proven capable of changing a fight in a single instant.
“The Ironside” has shown how incredibly dangerous his left hand can be, using it to score a highlight-reel knockdown against Jaradchai in his most recent outing. Now, he fully believes that same weapon can produce an even more decisive moment against Superlek.
He said:
“My expectation is definitely to close this fight with a knockout. It will come from my hands – 100 percent coming from my left hand.
“This fight means everything to me. I have no other choice. I simply must win this fight.”
