Superlek Kiatmoo9 Claims Vacant ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title In Grueling Battle With Daniel Puertas
Superlek Kiatmoo9 is the new ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion – but it didn’t come easy.
“The Kicking Machine” was pushed all the way by Daniel Puertas in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov on Prime Video on January 13, but he ultimately claimed the vacant strap via unanimous decision.
The strategy was clear in the early going at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, as Superlek punished his foe for stepping into range with a series of leg kicks and knees to the body.
Still, Puertas was absolutely relentless in his pursuit of the decorated Thai striker.
The two-time ISKA Kickboxing World Champion finally managed to close Superlek down at the end of the first frame, landing some hard punches against the Circle Wall.
The Kiatmoo9 Gym representative attempted to create more space for himself at the beginning of round two, as he used repeated teep kicks to keep his rival at range.
But the Spaniard was undeterred, continuing to advance and make the fight ugly, even wobbling “The Kicking Machine” with a right hand in the last 10 seconds.
Superlek received a warning for clinching in the early moments of round three, and the 27-year-old responded by wading into a brawl.
Shortly after, a right hand hurt Puertas, who fell backward into the Circle Wall. The Thai swarmed and unloaded punches on his stricken opponent, but he was unable to close the show.
Following another slugfest in round four, Superlek received a yellow card to begin the fifth frame for initiating another clinch, while Puertas appeared to land a punch as they separated.
That final stanza ended in a firefight, as the four-time Muay Thai World Champion battled for space against a game Puertas.
Both competitors appeared confident of victory, but it was Superlek who got the unanimous nod from the judges and received 26 pounds of featherweight kickboxing gold.
In his post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson, the new divisional king welcomed all challengers.
“I am not protective over this belt,” the 27-year-old said. “Whoever wants to come and take this, come and try to take this from me.”
