Thai Famous person, Superlek Kiatmoo9 was in an intriguing place after defeating former Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, Jonathan Haggerty, and claiming his belt within the first spherical of their extremely anticipated bout at ONE 168: Denver a number of weeks in the past. As a multi-sport and multi-weight champion within the greatest martial arts promotion on the planet, followers have been wildly speculating over what “The Kicking Machine’s” subsequent problem may probably be.
Final week, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong ended the rumors by saying that Scottish “King Of The North”, Nico Carillo, could be the following man to face the Thai phenomenon. “I do assume Nico Carillo is subsequent for Superlek,” he mentioned, “There are lots of different fights. I’d prefer to see Superlek Vs Rodtang II. I believe Nico has earned it subsequent although. The world desires to see it.”
Nico is a transparent and worthy challenger for a shot on the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Title and followers are certain to be in for a deal with, however because the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing Champion and ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Champion, Carillo isn’t the one adversary desirous to problem the pound-for-pound greatest striker on the planet. So, after we take a second to mirror on why Superlek Vs Carillo is a must-watch for all fight sports activities followers, we’ll discover the opposite potential matchups that will lie in retailer for “The Kicking Machine” after the mud has settled on the championship Muay Thai conflict.
Defending His ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Title Vs Nico Carillo
Superlek overcame an early barrage of Jonathan Haggerty’s strongest strikes to land a crisp, counter-elbow to assert the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai crown. If he’s not cautious, his reign gained’t final very lengthy as a result of the Scottish “King Of The North,” is able to usurp the throne.
Nico Carillo towers over the Bantamweight division as an imposing presence who has gained all 4 of his bouts on ONE by stoppage, together with a second-round knockout over former champion, Nong-O Hama and, most lately, a TKO victory over Thai sensation, Saemapetch Fairtex.
Though he has claimed that Superlek is the pound-for-pound greatest striker on the planet, Chatri isn’t sure that the Thai can overcome this monumental problem.
“Nico is a big bantamweight. I’m very curious to see how Superlek would deal with that measurement and energy. I believe Superlek is on a distinct degree technically, however Nico has energy, measurement, and coronary heart. These are harmful issues.”
Carillo is the reigning WMO World Champion and is using the excessive of a 15-fight win streak heading into this conflict with wins over legendary Thais together with Muangthai, Seksan, Nong-O and Saemapetch on this run, Superlek higher take the Scotsman critically or the “King Of The North” could quickly change into the “King of the World”.
Defending His ONE Flyweight Kickboxing Title Vs Rodtang Jitmuangnon
Superlek final defended his Kickboxing title in January, when he confronted Japanese prospect Takeru Segawa and, regardless of barely surviving a prolonged barrage of punches in spherical three, he was capable of jab, knee and low kick his approach to a unanimous factors victory.
Now, Takeru has been relegated to 3rd place within the ONE rankings and the person knocking on the door of the championship is his former Muay Thai adversary and ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Superlek claimed a slender victory over “The Iron Man” in 2023; a win that was barely tarnished by the truth that Superlek missed weight for the bout. Regardless of this, the three-round warfare was acclaimed because the ONE Muay Thai combat of the yr and followers have been eagerly awaiting a rematch ever since, making this title protection a extremely anticipated chance for Superlek within the subsequent few months.
Combating For The Flyweight Muay Thai Title Vs Rodtang Jitmuangnon (Or An Eliminator Vs Denis Puric)
Superlek had his probability to assert the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Title again in September 2023, when he fought Rodtang on Friday Fights 34. Regardless of successful the bout with a razor-close determination, he was ineligible to assert the title as he missed weight for the bout by nearly 5 kilos.
Superlek nonetheless stands as the primary contender in line to problem “The Iron Man” for his belt, so a rematch and an opportunity to unify the ONE Flyweight hanging division appears doubtless. Nevertheless, proper behind him within the rankings is the relentless Denis Puric.
Puric lately confronted Rodtang beneath kickboxing guidelines, the place he impressed followers along with his potential to commerce with Rodtang toe-to-toe, even taunting him as they traded fingers in the midst of the cage. He was unsuccessful on this bout however proved himself a worthy challenger and an issue Superlek could have to beat earlier than getting one other shot at Rodtang’s Flyweight Muay Thai Title. Provided that he was capable of snigger off even Rodtang’s strongest strikes, Puric may pose a large drawback for “The Kicking Machine’s” aspirations to unify this division.
Combating In The Bantamweight Kickboxing Division: Vs Haggerty, Ramazanov or Petchfergus
Superlek could have claimed Haggerty’s ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Title, however the Englishman nonetheless retains his Bantamweight Kickboxing belt. After defeating Haggerty and claiming his Muay Thai title, the precedent has been set for Superlek to pursue Haggerty’s remaining belt however, two former division champions stand within the rankings ready for his or her probability to reclaim the title.
Alaverdi Ramazanov and Petchtanong Petchfergus stand as fourth and third within the division respectively and a win over both man will put Superlek within the high 5 of the stacked ONE division and nicely in competition at a shot for the title.
Ramazanov is a relentless and unorthodox striker, who has crushed skilled Thai superstars akin to Pongsiri and Capitan Petchyindee. Petchfergus is a veteran of over 400 fights and has already confronted Superlek’s uncle and stablemate, Singdam Kiatmookao. He’s crushed each Ramazanov and #2 ranked contender, Hiroki Akimoto in current bouts, making him the person to beat if Superlek desires to ascertain himself on this stacked division.
Nevertheless, if Superlek’s current win over Haggerty permits him to leap the queue and instantly problem him for his remaining title, it’s sure that each of those males, in addition to Japanese, Hiroki Akimoto, and China’s, Wei Rui, all stand poised to problem the winner.
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