After a brief delay, the dream match that Muay Thai enthusiasts have been waiting years to see will finally happen at ONE Friday Fights 34.
On Friday, September 22, ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon defends his coveted belt against the division’s reigning kickboxing king, Superlek Kiatmoo9, at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The bout serves as the evening’s main event, which broadcasts live in Asia primetime.
These two modern-day legends have competed in Thailand’s world-famous Muay Thai circuit for nearly two decades, but they have yet to cross paths.
That was all supposed to change at ONE on Prime Video 8 this past March, as they were scheduled to meet for Superlek’s ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title in the headline attraction.
Rodtang, however, was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury.
Since the failed meeting, both men have continued to build momentum.
Rodtang returned at the world’s largest martial arts organization’s on-ground debut in the U.S., ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video, this past May. There, he knocked out WBC Muay Thai International Champion Edgar Tabares.
The match turned “The Iron Man” into a megastar with American fans. Following that successful ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title defense, Rodtang flirted with a possible showdown against newly signed Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa.
Meanwhile, Superlek has been explosively building a “Fighter of the Year” campaign.
The ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion successfully defended his belt against Rodtang’s replacement, #5-ranked strawweight Muay Thai contender Danial Williams, at ONE on Prime Video 8.
Superlek then returned to his Muay Thai roots, where he authored a pair of destructive knockout victories.
First, he finished two-division WBC Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane via first-round KO at ONE Friday Fights 22 in June. Then, he followed that up by destroying Tagir Khalilov via second-round TKO at ONE on Prime Video 12 last month.
In recent months, both Rodtang and Superlek have expressed their desire to see Thailand-born athletes hold all of ONE Championship’s belts.
That may be a tall order, but one thing is for certain – regardless of who wins, the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title will stay with the Thai people on September 22.
Now, the only question that remains is who will leave Lumpinee Boxing Stadium with the strap?
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more details about ONE Friday Fights 34.
