Superlek says Rodtang showdown ‘inevitable’ despite latest cancellation

The injury bug cost us the super fight between ONE flyweight world champions Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video.

However, as far as ‘The Kicking Machine’ is concerned, the dream showdown between the two Thai destroyers will still be happening sooner than you think, one way or the other.

Shortly after news broke that Rodtang had to pull out of the fight due to a lower back injury, a disappointed Superlek accepted the unfortunate ordeal he obviously had no control over.

Instead of facing his compatriot, the Kiatmoo9 superstar will now make his first flyweight kickboxing world title defense against short-notice replacement Danial Williams on March 24, inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

‘Mini T’, of course, is a worthy challenger in his own right and has had a full training camp in preparation for his supposed Muay Thai bout with Rui Botelho.

Nevertheless, Superlek acknowledged that his date with destiny against Rodtang is still the match every fight fan in the world wants to see.

The 27-year-old told SCMP MMA in his ONE Fight Night 8 pre-event interview:

“I think this fight is pretty much inevitable because we’re both in the same weight division. I’m the champion of kickboxing, Rodtang is the champion of Muay Thai so I think in the near future we’ll have to face each other again.”

Here’s Superlek's interview with SCMP MMA in its entirety:

Both a fixture in Thailand’s unforgiving Muay Thai circuit, Superlek and Rodtang entered ONE Championship around the same time in 2019 and quickly became two of the best strikers in kickboxing and Muay Thai, respectively.

Now both considered kings of their respective divisions, it’s only fitting for these two to duke it out inside the circle to determine the undisputed best flyweight striker in the world.

It is worth noting that Rodtang is already booked for ONE’s United States on-site debut at ONE Fight Night 10 against Edgar Tabares this May.

For now, the ONE flyweight kickboxing champ must focus on the task at hand by defending his throne against the upset-minded Williams.

ONE Fight Night 8: Superlek vs Williams on Prime Video will stream live in US primetime and is free for all Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.