“He has various weapons” - Panpayak says Superlek has ‘leveled up’ immensely since their first encounter 

In the four years since Panpayak first squared off with two-sport king Superlek Kiatmoo9, 'The Kicking Machine' has significantly leveled up his skills.

Panpayak had the pleasure of going toe-to-toe with Superlek on two separate occasions under the ONE Championship banner, the first time coming at ONE: No Surrender in July 2020. On that night, Superlek came out on top via decision.

The two would run it back two years later, with Superlek once again walking away with his hand raised — though this time, it was by a closely contested split decision.

Of course, in the time since, 'The Kicking Machine' has bagged massive wins over the likes of Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Takeru Segawa, Nabil Anane, and Kongthoranee.

Offering his take on Superlek's evolution, Panpayak acknowledged that his fellow Thai has made some major upgrades to his game and hopes to one day test himself against the reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world titleholder in a long-awaited trilogy bout.

"It was a surprising fight at that time," Panpayak said at the ONE Friday Fights 92 virtual press conference. "I couldn’t see much because it was really quick. But Superlek has leveled up all his weapons, including his elbows and kicks. He has various weapons he could show in the ring. If I have the opportunity, I would like to face Superlek, as I have trained for him as well."

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Panpayak throws hands with undefeated Russian standout Egor Bikrev at ONE Friday Fights 92

While Panpayak may have a little work to do inside the ring before bagging a third fight with Superlek, he'll have an opportunity to score his second straight win this Friday, December 20, when he returns to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand for ONE's final fight card of the year — ONE Friday Fights 92.

There, Panpayak will square off with undefeated Russian standout Egor Bikrev.

It will be Bikrev's sophomore appearance in ONE Championship after delivering a highlight-reel knockout in his promotional debut against Gingsanglek at ONE Friday Fights 86 in November.

Meanwhile, 'The Angel Warrior' goes into Friday's scrap, seeking his 250th career win and sixth victory in ONE. Panpayak has previously come out on top against Rui Botelho, Savvas Michael, Silviu Vitez, Daniel Puertas, and Masahide Kudo.

Who comes out on top when a Thai icon meets a Russian newcomer inside the Mecca of Muay Thai?

ONE Friday Fights 92: Sitthichai vs. Shadow will air live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, December 20, in Asian primetime to more than 190 million countries around the globe.