‘It’s High Risk’ – Superlek Reveals Knockout-Focused Strategy For Jonathan Haggerty
Thai superstar “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 is heading into ONE 168: Denver on September 6 with something to prove.
That night, live in U.S. primetime from Ball Arena, the 28-year-old will move up in weight to challenge Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title in a five-round clash that has the martial arts world anxious with anticipation.
As the long-reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion who boasts wins over the likes of Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa, Superlek looks to cement himself as the planet’s top pound-for-pound striker. Against Haggerty, he’ll have his chance to become a rare two-division, two-sport ONE World Champion.
This won’t be the first time the pair of knockout artists have shared the ring. Back in 2018, before their time in the world’s largest martial arts organization, Superlek scored a stoppage win due to cuts against the hard-hitting Brit, and he did it on Haggerty’s home soil.
The raucous UK crowd that night disagreed with the decision – and the boos didn’t sit well with “The Kicking Machine.”
He spoke to onefc.com about his first battle with “The General”:
“Haggerty has always been someone [I wanted] a rematch with since our first match in 2018. That fight was stopped by the ref. I won by TKO, but the crowd wasn’t happy. There was a lot of booing as if I didn’t deserve to win. I want to prove that I can still win the fight without a ref stopping it prematurely.”
The somewhat controversial ending to their first fight – and the crowd’s reaction to it – has stuck with Superlek. It’s the memory of that bout that led him to call out an opponent for the first time in his incredible 171-fight professional career.
Superlek is motivated, he says, to erase any doubt that he’s the better striker:
“I’m not happy that I was questioned, as if I wasn’t able to win without the stoppage. I want to prove people wrong. I have always wanted a rematch.”
With a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, the flyweight kickboxing king promises to put it all on the line in pursuit of a clean knockout at ONE 168.
While Superlek might be known for his precise technique and smooth defensive stylings, fans can look forward to a more aggressive version of the Thai warrior when he vies for bantamweight Muay Thai gold:
“This fight will be the first time ever I’ll go 100 percent all out, putting a lot of pressure. I will be aggressive. Fans may know us as technical fighters, but they can expect an explosive fight on September 6. I’m looking for a knockout. It’s high risk. I may lose my record of never being knocked out in my entire career, but I’m going for it. I’m giving my all for this fight.”
Superlek Breaks Down World Title Clash With Haggerty
Clearly, Superlek Kiatmoo9 will be gunning for a knockout against Jonathan Haggerty. But fans shouldn’t confuse his enthusiasm with over-confidence.
The Thai star is quick to give the defending World Champion credit for his immense skills and prodigious athletic gifts.
According to Superlek, a fight between two world-class strikers at the top of their game, is a matter of inches:
“[Haggerty has] a lot of strengths, barely any weaknesses. He’s fast, has excellent footwork, and is a technical fighter with knockout power. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeves. He’s in his prime with lots of confidence. I wouldn’t say there are any weaknesses for him.
“Athletes at this level don’t really have so-called weaknesses. In my opinion, it’s all about the timing. It’s all about the openings, and I’ll be looking for them to finish the fight nicely.”
If “The Kicking Machine” has one clear advantage over “The General,” it’s his experience in the championship rounds of World Title fights.
Superlek says that his edge in experience could pay dividends at ONE 168:
“I’d like to win by knockout. Haggerty has never reached the fourth round when defending his belt, but I have. It doesn’t matter if it’s cut short or goes the distance. I’ll find the opening to get the finish.”
