Kryklia Vs. Xhaja Off; Superlek Vs. Khalilov To Headline ONE Fight Night 12
There is a new main event for ONE Fight Night 12 on Prime Video.
On July 14, reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 will continue his quest for two-sport glory when he squares off against Russian striking ace Tagir Khalilov in a flyweight Muay Thai clash at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia was originally scheduled to defend his gold against Francesko Xhaja in the headline attraction, but the Albanian challenger has withdrawn from the bout due to injury. As a result, the match has been removed from the U.S. primetime lineup.
Superlek, who is also the #1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender, has enjoyed a banner 2023 thus far.
The Thai superstar kicked off the year by defeating Daniel Puertas to claim the vacant ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in January. He then successfully defended his gold by knocking out Danial Williams in March.
Earlier this June, he made the switch back to “the art of eight limbs” and finished two-division WBC Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane with a thunderous body shot inside a single round.
Superlek is now looking for his fourth straight victory of 2023 – and the 135th of his storied career – in order to cement a shot at Muay Thai gold.
But instead of challenging his friend Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship, the 27-year-old Buriram native wants his Thai compatriots to hold all of ONE Championship’s belts in the sport.
With that serving as his motivation, Superlek would like to move up a weight class and challenge his old rival, reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan Haggerty.
But standing in his way is Khalilov, who’s recently developed a reputation as “The Thai Killer.”
The 30-year-old Russian has become a force in recent months, knocking out a pair of well-respected Thai fighters – Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi and Black Panther – in the first round.
Now, Khalilov could make it three in a row, and a victory over Superlek at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium would be the biggest victory of his career.
Khalilov was originally scheduled to fight Elias Mahmoudi at ONE Fight Night 12, but with his move into the main event, a new opponent for the French-Algerian striker will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about ONE Fight Night 12, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on July 14.
