ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will put his coveted crown on the line against flyweight kickboxing king and fellow Thai megastar Superlek Kiatmoo9 in the ONE Friday Fights 34 main event on September 22, and it just might be the greatest battle the sport has ever seen.
There are many reasons to argue the Rodtang vs. Superlek is the biggest muay Thai bout in history, and we’ve broken three below.
1. Two megastars at the peak of their powers
It’s not every day that two of the world’s best fighters lock horns with each in their respective primes. But that’s what fans will get to see on September 22.
Rodtang has thrilled fans with his all-action style since joining ONE in 2018. The 26-year-old is unbeaten across 14 outings in the promotion’s striking ranks, and he has held the flyweight muay Thai strap since 2019.
Superlek, on the other hand, has been a dominant force in the flyweight kickboxing division while also claiming elite scalps in muay Thai too. He is riding a seven-fight win streak and has been at the peak of his powers in 2023, with crushing knockout wins over Danial Williams, Nabil Anane and Tagir Khalilov in his last three outings.
This is no “crossroads” fight. When the pair finally face off in the ring, there will be no excuses, as the fight is happening at the perfect time in each man’s career.
2. An iconic stadium and a global platform
The Lumpinee Stadium has hosted many historic striking battle, and it has become known as the Mecca of muay Thai.
Typically, the biggest cards at the iconic venue are beamed into homes across Thailand. However, ONE Championship has created a global platform for muay Thai to reach a whole new fanbase in over 190 countries across the globe every week with its ONE Friday Fight series.
When Rodtang and Superlek make the walk, the whole world will be watching on a scale yet to be seen in the ancient sport.
A stacked undercard featuring no fewer than 12 former world or Thai stadium champions ensures that ONE Friday Fights 34 will be one of the most memorable nights in muay Thai history, and the main event fighters will carry the responsibility of capping the night with a bang.
3. The highest of flyweight stakes
The winner of the September 22 headliner will not only leave as the ONE flyweight muay Thai world title, but they will also undeniably be the very best flyweight striker on the planet.
For Superlek, a shot at two-sport ONE world champion glory beckons as he looks to add the flyweight muay Thai strap to his kickboxing belt.
“The Kicking Machine” has kept his muay Thai tools sharp during his reign as kickboxing king, with five of his last seven fights coming under the rules of his home nation’s national sport.
Rodtang will cement his reign and truly enter rarified as ONE most dominant world champion with a win over Superlek. Should he get it, “The Iron Man” will next look to go for another strap himself, having hinted that he’d like to challenge ONE bantamweight muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty for his throne.
