Superlek expects to have his work cut out against 'improved' Jonathan Haggerty: "This will be a tougher fight"

ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 believes his past victory over Jonathan Haggerty gives him little advantage when they lock horns for the first time under the ONE Championship banner this Friday, September 6.

Emanating live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, ONE 168 will see 'The Kicking Machine' move up a division in his bid to become a two-sport world champion. The striking specialist challenges for the Englishman's ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world championship crown.

In an exclusive interview with Yokkao, the 28-year-old offered:

"I already fought Haggerty once. Butt since that fight, I think he has improved a lot. I see him faster and more skilled than the first time. So I think this will be a tougher fight."

Watch the full interview here:

The Kiatmoo9 Gym man crossed paths with 'The General' under the Yokkao banner in October 2018. That evening, the Thai dished out a typical striking clinic to see off the young Englishman in two rounds.

However, as Superlek pointed out, much has changed since that fateful night.

Haggerty debuted in the world's largest martial arts organization three months later, kicking things off with an impressive showing against Joseph Lasiri before he dethroned Sam-A Gaiyanghadao to claim the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion.

Today, the Knowlesy Academy and Team Underground megastar reigns atop the kickboxing and Muay Thai ranks of the bantamweight division, having picked up both 26 pounds of gold with knockouts over Nong-O Hama and Fabricio Andrade last year.

Superlek, meanwhile, has gone an incredible 14-1 since plying his trade under the ONE Championship banner. The flyweight kickboxing king has claimed several notable wins — against Takeru Segawa, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Tagir Khalilov, and Taiki Naito — alongside several world title defenses.

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Rodtang on potential Superlek rematch: "It's a matter of time"

Separately, ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon is keen to run it back with Superlek once he's sorted out his Jacob Smith rematch at ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8.

That evening inside State Farm Arena, 'The Iron Man' defends his gold against the hard-hitting British dynamo. While focused on that fight, the Muay Thai specialist admits that a rematch against 'The Kicking Machine' is merely in the offing.

He shared:

"It's a matter of time. I've always been ready."