Superlek Stuns With Second-Round TKO Of Tagir Khalilov

Superlek Kiatmoo9’s stature has officially outgrown his 5-foot-7 frame.

After making quick work of a WBC Muay Thai World Champion just three weeks ago, the 27-year-old Thai stepped in on short notice to decimate Tagir Khalilov in the headliner of ONE Fight Night 12 on Prime Video.

The ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion and #1-ranked Muay Thai contender needed only a round and a half to finish the tough-as-nails Russian at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, July 14.

Khalilov looked supremely confident at the start of this 135.25-pound catchweight Muay Thai matchup – especially knocking out two Thai strikers in his last two bouts – but Superlek was levels above him from the opening bell.

The man who’s built a reputation as “The Kicking Machine” resorted to using his elbows, jumping knees, and ripping body shots to punish Khalilov in the opening moments of the fight, and for the next three minutes, he never let off the gas.

When the first round ended, the damage on Khalilov’s face said it all. And unbeknownst to him, he’d wear more of it in the next frame.

In the second, Superlek sprinted at “Samingpri” and continued his elbow attacks. The Russian had no choice but to turn away in defense. But as he did, he was clipped with an elbow, dropped, and given an eight-count.

Khalilov answered the count and was thrust back into the fray, but about a minute later – after Superlek smothered his foe with more elbows and knees – referee Olivier Coste waved off the contest at the 1:42 mark.

With the TKO victory, the Thai superstar improved his striking record to 135-29, scored his ninth straight win, and took the opportunity to call out both ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan Haggerty.