Superlek says he "can predict" Rodtang’s patterns clearly

Superlek Kiatmoo9 believes he picked up on Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s striking patterns and believes that will be his key to victory on Friday night.

Combat sports fans around the world will be treated to a super fight that is years in the making as ‘The Kicking Machine’ Superlek puts his newly won ONE flyweight kickboxing world championship on the line against ‘The Iron Man’ Rodtang. It’s a battle that is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats, but if you ask Superlek, he believes that he already has the fight in the bag after studying Rodtang’s movement inside the circle.

In an interview with ONE Championship, ‘The Kicking Machine’ said:

“I see Rodtang’s steps clearly, like how he will punch and follow with kicks. I can predict his patterns clearly. Rodtang may hit hard but he is slower than me. This will be to my advantage.”

That’s far from the only advantage Superlek will have at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video this weekend. ‘The Kicking Machine’ will also carry a significant height and reach advantage that will most certainly work in his favor, particularly in a kickboxing clash. Of course, you can never count out the ferocity and steel-like chin of ‘The Iron Man.’

Mostly known for his dominance in the world of Muay Thai, Rodtang will strap on the 8 oz gloves for just the third time in his ONE Championship career, but thus far, is yet to experience defeat in both kickboxing and the art of eight limbs.

Will Superlek be the first man to hand ‘The Iron Man’ a loss in one of those two sports this Friday night?

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Superlek admits having struggles adapting to kickboxing inside the circle

Given his ONE world title-winning performance against Daniel Puertas at ONE Fight Night 6 just two months ago, you would never know that Superlek has any struggles adapting to the kickboxing rule set of ONE Championship. However, ‘The Kicking Machine’ revealed in an interview with the promotion that it took him some time to adapt, unlike his opponent this Friday night.

“Rodtang’s basics depend on punch and kick in a Muay Thai fight. He doesn’t use elbows that much. That’s why his style is compatible with kickboxing rules. He didn’t need to adjust. But for me, I had to adapt a lot. I am still concerned about how I accidentally use clinch, elbows, or knees in kickboxing.”

Superlek’s one blemish since signing with the promotion in 2019 came in a kickboxing bout with former ONE flyweight world champion Ilias Ennahachi. The Moroccan scored a unanimous decision victory over ‘The Kicking Machine’ at ONE: Fists of Fury in 2021. The two were originally scheduled for a rematch in January, but Ennahachi was unable to make weight, forcing him to vacate the title that Superlek would go on to win.

Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America can catch all the action live and for free in U.S. primetime this Friday night.