“ONE Fight Night 8: Superlek vs. Williams” went down this past Friday, March 24, and like previous installments of the monthly Amazon Prime Video series, it delivered.
In the main event, Superlek Kiatmoo9 demolished late replacement Danial Williams to retain his ONE flyweight kickboxing world title.
And ONE atomweight muay Thai world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues made a triumphant return to the ONE circle in the co-feature, as the Brazilian superstar proved to be too strong for interim queen Janet Todd.
Here is what some of the night’s biggest winners had to say at the post-fight press conference.
Superlek Kiatmoo9
Superlek was at his destructive best this past weekend, as he swept aside a brave “Mini T” with a violent third-round knockout.
Fittingly, “The Kicking Machine” was awarded a $50,000 performance bonus for the finish, courtesy of ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
“I am happy and speechless to get this bonus. I would like to thank Chatri because ever since I joined ONE, my life has been improved significantly, and I am determined to do my best in every fight,” he said.
“I would like to thank Williams for accepting this fight last minute, and I would like to say that he’s a strong fighter. I respect his heart and courage.”
Superlek was originally supposed to face ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE Fight Night 8, but an injury forced “The Iron Man” out of the contest just days away from showtime.
The dream match is still on the kickboxing king’s radar, however, but with a catch – he wants it to be for Rodtang’s title rather than his own.
“I think I am deserving of fighting for Rodtang’s belt,” Superlek added. “He’s number one in muay Thai and I’d like to challenge him for his belt.”
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues
After taking time away from competition to start a family, Rodrigues made her long-awaited return for her first fight since August 2020, and she did not disappoint.
In fact, the Brazilian looked more dangerous than ever when she fought Todd in the co-main event.
The 24-year-old credited Angela Lee – another mom-champ – as her inspiration.
“I was inspired by Angela Lee’s ability to come back after giving birth and retaining the belt. I wanted to do the same and inspire people the way Angela Lee does,” she said.
As for her next challenge, Rodrigues would like to run it back with “JT.” This time, however, she would like to do it under kickboxing rules for Todd’s ONE atomweight kickboxing world title.
“It would be a new challenge for me to fight for the kickboxing belt, and it’s a challenge I’m looking for,” she said. “I don’t have a lot of experience in kickboxing, but Janet came for my belt, and I’d like to go for her belt too.”
Seo Hee Ham
Seo Hee Ham (26-8) secured bragging rights over heated rival Itsuki Hirata (6-2), as she claimed a unanimous decision win over the Japanese star.
The South Korean felt that her opponent was perhaps a little flat during the contest.
“A lot of things were said before the fight. A lot of fire was shot at my direction from Itsuki Hirata, so I did expect her to come out with a bit more fire and a bit more energy. But as you saw, it wasn’t the case,” she said.
Following her victory, Sityodtong announced that Ham would be the next challenger to the atomweight throne. But whether she faces reigning titleholder Lee or compete for an interim belt is to be determined.
Nonetheless, “Hamzzang” was elated with the news.
“I was very happy to hear that I’d be fighting for the title next. I got chills when I heard it directly from Chatri,” she offered. “It’s the only thing that I’ve wanted since joining ONE Championship, and I’m very excited.”
Zhang Peimian
Zhang Peimian saw off a dogged Torepchi Dongak by unanimous decision, enhancing his claim to another shot at ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella.
While “The Fighting Rooster” also secured a $50,000 performance bonus for his efforts, the 19-year-old phenom’s eye is firmly on creating history as China’s youngest-ever ONE world champion.
“If I got the belt, it would be the first ONE kickboxing belt for China,” he said. “I’d get it for China, and I’d be the youngest world champion in China.”
Tammi Musumeci
Tammi Musumeci made a successful ONE debut, as she got the judges nod after going the distance with world-class Brazilian grappler Bianca Basilio.
The 28-year-old has now set her sights on following in the footsteps of her brother – ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci – and challenging for a 26-pound gold belt.
“It would mean so much to me to become a champion like my brother. It would be similar to what the Lee family has accomplished, and that would be really cool,” she said.
“I’m very thankful to be a part of this. This is the highest level in competition, and even when meeting the athletes, they’re all super cool, and it’s just a cool group of people. So, I’m just very thankful to be here, but my goal is to eventually compete for the 115-pound and 125-pound belts.”
The strawweight submission ace also nominated fellow American standout Danielle Kelly as a future foe.
The pair have locked horns in competition prior to joining ONE, and Musumeci is keen to run it back even if it means making the move down to atomweight.
“I fought Danielle Kelly a year ago, and I heard she wants to fight me, so I’d be down for that. I could definitely make 115 pounds. I’ve made 115 pounds in jiu-jitsu (before), and that’s where you literally weigh in and then you fight right after.”
