What's next for Superlek Kiatmoo9 after Danial Williams KO at ONE Fight Night 8

Superlek Kiatmoo9 orchestrated one of the greatest world title defenses in ONE Championship history when he stopped Danial Williams in the main event of ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video.

The Thai superstar was practically untouchable in his defense of the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Despite taking on a late-notice replacement in Williams, Superlek demonstrated the caliber that he’s always had inside the Circle.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon, the reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, was supposed to face Superlek in the ONE Fight Night 8 main event but had to pull out of the card due to injury.

That caused Williams, who was set to take on Rui Botelho, to be bumped into the world title match during fight week.

Nevertheless, Superlek Kiatmoo9 was ready for anything. For the three rounds the fight lasted, Superlek looked like he was a couple of steps ahead of Williams.

Superlek tagged Williams repeatedly with push kicks before using his athleticism to land some nasty knee strikes in the second round.

‘The Kicking Machine’ then knocked Williams down in the third with a cracking right roundhouse kick before ultimately ending the bout with a flurry of punches 1:55 into the third.

The superlative performance not only solidified Superlek’s status as one of the best strikers of his generation but also earned him a cool $50,000 bonus from ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Following such a dominant win, it now begs the question, what’s next for Superlek?

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Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs. Rodtang Jitmuangnon has to happen

Whatever world title is on the line, be it the Muay Thai or the kickboxing flyweight belt, the showdown between striking monsters Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 has to happen.

The fight between the two, who are often regarded as the best flyweight strikers of their generation, has been a long time coming. ONE Fight Night 8 should’ve been their fateful meeting, but Rodtang’s late injury meant the bout will still have to wait.

Still, a showdown between Superlek and Rodtang is the fight to be made. Superlek even said so.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Superlek said:

“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.”

He also expressed his desire to face Rodtang in a Muay Thai match, effectively launching his bid to become a two-sport world champion in ONE Championship.

“If I could choose, I would fight him in Muay Thai first. But it’s fine for me. I am just focusing on defending my kickboxing gold. Muay Thai is another story for another time,” Superlek told ONE in an interview.