Superlek Has Sights On Ennahachi’s World Title Following Panpayak Victory

Striking superstar Superlek Kiatmoo9 and ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Illias Ennahachi last met at ONE: FISTS OF FURY in February 2021, where “The Kicking Machine” dropped a tough unanimous decision loss to his Dutch foe after five hard-fought rounds.

The Thai dynamo may have fallen in his first challenge to Ennahachi’s divisional crown, but he’ll get a second shot at ONE On Prime Video 6: Superbon vs. Allazov on Friday, 6th January, at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. And he’s ready to make the most of the opportunity.

2022 offered a grueling schedule for the Buriram native, as he was included in ONE’s Flyweight Muay Thai Grand Prix tournament. But from the busy lineup of fights emerged an evolved Superlek – one filled with confidence, thanks to his stellar performances.

He took out Japan’s Taiki Naito in the quarterfinals, cruising to a unanimous decision win over the Shoot Boxing Bantamweight World Champion. And he used that momentum to set a path of destruction.

The four-time Muay Thai World Champion met stern competition in Walter Goncalves in the Grand Prix’s semifinal round – in what was predicted to be a one-round firefight. 

Superlek had entered the tournament as the favorite in many people’s eyes, but the speed and work rate of his Brazilian foe meant he was challenged from the start of their bout. After getting cracked early, the Muay Thai expert responded in the only way he knew how: with all guns blazing.

Superlek landed a flurry of powerful short elbows inside Goncalves’ guard, who failed answer the referee’s count after receiving a second concussive blow. “The Kicking Machine” was awarded a first-round KO victory, and it was off to the final.

A very familiar foe in Panpayak Jitmuangnon awaited him there, serving as the eighth time the two had tussled. “The Angel Warrior” had a 4-2-1 lead in their storied rivalry, and with the stakes so high on this occasion, Superlek knew he had to get everything right.

Over three smartly fought rounds, he took the bragging rights, outstriking his compatriot to take home the victory. However, weight issues prior to the fight rendered both men ineligible for the tournament’s crown, and World Title shot that came with it. 

After a stellar year inside the Circle, however, Superlek still gets a chance to challenge for a strap in his next fight. His chance to score redemption against Ennahachi will be his greatest motivation, and he is in the best position to take the fight to the Dutch star.