Superlek recalls early days of training with his ‘brother’ Saenchai

Superlek ‘The Kicking Machine’ Kiatmoo9 is just hours away from the first defense of his ONE flyweight kickboxing world championship.

The Thai star will step into the circle in t Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday night for a main event showdown with Danial Williams. Originally scheduled to square off with Muay Thai icon Rodtang Jitmuangnon, ‘The Iron Man’ was forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained in training. As a result, Williams now finds himself with a literal golden opportunity.

Before the two world-class strikers scrap inside the circle, Superlek sat down with ONE Championship to look back at his early days of training alongside the man he considers a brother, Saenchai.

“Back then, Saenchai was practicing at Yokkao gym. And my friends, Singdam and Farsai, usually went to train there, too. So, whenever I had a fight, I would come to this gym to get help from them. I met Saenchai there. After that, we spent more and more time together until we became close as brothers.”

'The Kicking Machine' continued, saying:

“I can tease him and, sometimes, he teases me back. He is a friendly and funny guy. But I'm a junior. I must always respect him. Sometimes, he just teaches me in a funny way.”

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Superlek Kiatmoo9 is used to last-minute opponent changes

This is far from the first time that Superlek has had to adjust his game plan after a short-notice opponent change.

In January, ‘The Kicking Machine’ expected to run back his February 2021 bout with then-flyweight kickboxing world titleholder Ilias Ennahachi. Shortly before the fighters were scheduled to step on the scale for their ONE Fight Night 6 scrap, Ennahachi informed the promotion that he would be unable to make weight, forcing him to relinquish the flyweight kickboxing crown.

Superlek was then matched up with two-time ISKA kickboxing world champion Daniel Puertas. Undeterred, ‘The Kicking Machine’ delivered a showstopping performance against a man he never expected to meet and captured his first ONE world title in impressive fashion.

Two months later, Superlek finds himself in a similar position, tasked with taking on another dangerous fighter, Danial Williams. A fighter that he never expected to face, putting him at a potential disadvantage in his first ONE world title defense.

Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America can catch ONE Fight Night 8 live and for free this Friday night in U.S. primetime.