bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Nicolas Atkin

It looks like we really won’t be seeing Rodtang Jitmuangnon fight Superlek Kiatmoo9 any time soon.
ONE Championship set up the super fight for March in Singapore, only for flyweight Muay Thai champ Rodtang to withdraw injured from the headliner, where Superlek was set to defend his kickboxing title.
Then in May, “The Iron Man” said he no longer wanted to face his compatriot, because he wanted more Thai champions in ONE.
Superlek has now echoed Rodtang’s sentiments, following his Muay Thai win over the towering Nabil Anane at ONE Friday Fights 22 last weekend in Bangkok.
“It’s hard to say, so let it be about the future,” the 27-year-old said, via a translator, when the Post asked if he would still fight Rodtang.


“We still have a lot more opponents that are not Thai. I really want the belts to be with Thai people, so we will see what the future holds.”
Muay Thai and kickboxing fans have long clamoured to see the two Thai champions go at it, in either sport, with local media even insisting Superlek would be the favourite.
The two were on course to meet in the final of last year’s flyweight Muay Thai grand prix, only for Rodtang to withdraw before his semi-final without giving a hydration test sample.
Superbon in tribute to ONE ref after death, Chatri to pay daughter’s school fees
In March, Superlek eventually fought Danial Williams – who is naturally a strawweight – in a hastily-rearranged ONE Fight Night 8 main event at Singapore Indoor Stadium, and scored a third-round knockout to retain his kickboxing title.
“Right now in my heart, as a Thai person, I want to see every Thai be a champion,” Rodtang told the Post via a translator ahead of his title defence against Edgar Tabares at ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver, Colorado.
“After I pass Tabares, I am looking for Jonathan Haggerty in his weight class. I want a new challenge so I will try for Haggerty.”
Rodtang may have to get in line for that one, though, with Superlek also expressing an interest in moving up to fight bantamweight Muay Thai champion Haggerty of the UK.

“I’m not saying I’m the one deserving the fight with Haggerty the most,” Superlek added. “I just really want to face him, to see how it goes for me.
“I don’t really have a second name in mind specifically to fight, so anyone is good. Both kickboxing and Muay Thai are good. I want to try MMA one day, but not yet.”
Superlek picked up a US$50,000 bonus for his efforts on Friday, after he stopped his 1.88m-tall Algerian flyweight opponent with a first-round body shot.
“I’m happy for both my victory and also the bonus,” Superlek said. “This is the tallest opponent I have ever faced in my life.
“He’s very tall, so the kicks had to be either to the body or the chest, and also the legs, so I just focused on that.”


ONE Championship: Yod-IQ Pimolsri secures contract, eyes rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev

ONE Championship: Superbon insists his longevity, success are rooted in discipline over sacrifice

ONE Championship: Mohammad Siasarani finally gets coveted contract – now he wants the belt

ONE Championship: Liu Mengyang believes win over Tawanchai is ‘turning point of my career’

ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Superlek pours cold water on Rodtang fight – ‘I want Thais to have the belts’

Superlek heads to the ring for his bout against Nabil Anane at ONE Friday Fights 22 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. Photo: David Picton

Superlek throws a shot to the body against Nabil Anane at ONE Friday Fights 22. Photo: David Picton

ONE Championship: Anatoly Malykhin to ‘smash’ Buchecha after beating Arjan Bhullar ‘on one leg’

Anatoly Malykhin celebrates with his two titles at ONE Friday Fights 22. Photos: David Picton

Anatoly Malykhin lands a right hand on Arjan Bhullar at ONE Friday Fights 22. Photo: David Picton

Anatoly Malykhin heads to the ring at ONE Friday Fights 22 in Bangkok. Photo: David Picton

ONE Championship: Superbon in tribute to ‘best friend’ Paopom after referee’s death, Chatri to ‘personally’ pay for daughter’s school fees

Paopom Watcharin gets set to raise Superbon’s hand after his win over Tayfun Ozcan at ONE Fight Night 11 in Bangkok. Photo: ONE Championship

Paopom Watcharin rushes in to help Tayfun Ozcan after Superbon scores the knockout. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Chatri hails ‘record breaking’ Friday Fights 22, ‘biggest show ever at Lumpinee’ with stadium over capacity

Prajanchai PK Saenchai celebrates winning the interim strawweight Muay Thai title at ONE Friday Fights 22. Photo: ONE Championship

Anatoly Malykhin celebrates with his two titles at ONE Friday Fights 22 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

Nico Carrillo performs a backwards somersault after knocking out Muangthai at ONE Friday Fights 22 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

Superlek throws a body shot at Nabil Anane at ONE Friday Fights 22. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship signs MOU to bring live events to Qatar, with Doha on the cards for 2023

CEO Chatri Sityodtong with Demetrious Johnson (right) and Rodtang (left) at the ONE Fight Night 10 press conference in Denver. Photos: ONE Championship

Lightweight contender Saygid Izagakhmaev (centre) could feature on ONE’s first card in Qatar. 

ONE Championship co-founder and group president Hua Fung Teh with Singapore President Halimah Yacob in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Handout

ONE Championship co-founder and group president Hua Fung Teh with Media City Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali Al-Thani (left) and chairman Sheikh Dr Abdulla Al-Thani (right) at the Qatar Economic Forum last month. Photo: Handout

Sport

Martial Arts

Muay Thai

Kickboxing

‘It’s hard to say so let it be about the future,’ the flyweight kickboxing champ says when asked if he will still fight Rodtang
Superlek instead expresses an interest in moving up to face bantamweight Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty


ONE Championship flyweight kickboxing king instead expresses interest in moving up to face bantamweight Muay Thai champ Jonathan Haggerty.


Superbon