ONE Championship fans received some bad news earlier this week, as Rodtang Jitmuangnon was forced to withdraw from the ONE Fight Night 8 main event due to injury.
However, the good news is that “Mini T” Danial Williams will step up to take his place in the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title bout and challenge defending champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the gold on Friday, March 24.
Williams was slated to face Portuguese veteran Rui Botelho earlier that night, but he has now been elevated into the main event, which U.S. and Canadian fans can watch live and for free with an Amazon Prime membership.
Before “Mini T” embarks on the opportunity of a lifetime, here are three reasons why the Aussie can cause a huge upset.
1. He has knockout power
Owing to his genuine, one-punch knockout power, Williams is never without a chance.
That power was on full display twice in 2022.
First, Williams stopped former ONE strawweight world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke with a clubbing body shot at “ONE: Bad Blood” in February. The second-round body rip crumpled the Thai legend and left him writhing in pain on the canvas.
But the best was yet to come, as Williams dispatched Zelang Zhaxi inside one round at ONE 159 last July. The Australian fired off a piston-like right hand that sent the Chinese slugger crashing down face-first into the canvas.
While the world title fight with Superlek will take place in eight-ounce gloves, there is no denying that “Mini T” has the ability to turn off the lights at any moment.
2. Short notice, no worries
This is not the first time that “Mini T” has stepped in on short notice to face one of the best strikers on the planet.
In his ONE Championship debut, Williams squared off against Rodtang at just a few weeks’ notice and put on a show for the fans at ONE on TNT I back in April 2021.
The Aussie came up short that night, but he won the fans’ hearts as he showed no trepidation in the face of one of the most destructive fighters in ONE history.
It also earned the pair the 2021 ONE Super Series “Fight of the Year” honors.
With that experience under his belt, expect a prime Williams to fearlessly go head-to-head with Superlek on Friday night.
3. He has nothing to lose
There is a certain freedom that comes with stepping into a fight as the underdog.
Moving up a weight class and into a new rule set, the odds will certainly favor the flyweight kickboxing king.
But Williams has landed on a huge opportunity to snatch the 26-pound gold belt from Superlek, and would not lose any ground in defeat. If he were to fall short, “Mini T” can simply return to strawweight – whether it be under MMA or muay Thai rules – without losing his No. 5 ranking in either discipline.
Simply put, this is a free hit for Williams.
As such, he can fight without any fear of failure – and a fearless opponent could spell danger for Superlek.
