The biggest Muay Thai matchup in decades is finally going down at ONE Friday Fights 34: Rodtang vs. Superlek, which will emanate from Bangkok, Thailand, in Asia primetime this Friday, September 22.
Longtime ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will meet ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in front of a sold-out crowd at the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Even though the modern-day Thai legends have nearly 500 professional fights between them, the duo have never crossed paths. But that will officially change when they step into the sport’s most iconic arena for their main event showdown.
Less than 48 hours before showtime, many of ONE Championship’s most beloved athletes are making their predictions for this marquee World Champion vs. World Champion battle.
“This will be, in my opinion, the Muay Thai fight of the century for the entire world. I’ll just say that I’ve never looked forward to a stand-up fight so much. These are two super fighters, two men who are always on the hunt for a knockout, and they possess outstanding skills – a variety of punches, amazing knees, and elbows. Both of them can pack a punch. They are unbreakable warriors. If you don’t turn on the TV for this fight, you will miss a lot.
“I’m not going to predict what this fight is going to be like. I’m just going to cheer and enjoy a hell of a fight. I like both fighters. They are grateful, have spirit, and always show spectacular fights. So, I’ll just watch this fight without favoring either of them.”
“Finally, it’s about time they got it on. In 4-ounce gloves, I’m going for Rodtang. I was swaying toward Superlek a few months ago. He’s on fire. But if we can get the full potential out of Rodtang, he’s going to win for sure. If he’s training how he trained for me in our second fight, then yeah, I’m going for Rodtang.
“I feel like Superlek’s got a lot more skill, but in 4-ounce gloves, is Superlek going to be able to stand there and take punches from Rodtang? That’s the key factor. Can he hold his own?”
“Rodtang is a fierce, action-packed boxer with powerful weapons. Superlek is a fast, hard-hitting boxer. He is hard to fight against. Both men have a chance to win a bonus. It depends on who will make a mistake first.
“I believe that both of them will bring the best version [of themselves] to meet each other. They will definitely go back and forth. I’ll give each of them a 50-50 chance to win. If Rodtang misses [a shot], he has a chance of being countered and knocked out. The same for Superlek because it’s 4-ounce gloves.”
“It’s so hard to break this fight down because Superlek is so technical, right? And then Rodtang just has a different kind of power in his strikes. It’s hard to pick a winner between the two. But I’m friends with Rodtang, so I guess I’d have to go with Rodtang on this one.”
“This is a really crazy fight. It’s a really good test for Rodtang. Superlek is taller than him, and he kicks very hard. For this fight, man, I don’t know. 55-45 for Superlek, I will say. This fight is going to be a crazy banger. I’m excited. I cannot wait for this one. It’s going to be an amazing fight.”
“This will be one of the most important fights in the world of Muay Thai. It is particularly anticipated in Thailand. These are objectively two of the best Thai fighters at their weight.
“Rodtang is unique in every way and will be the favorite. However, he has a peculiar defense – he opens up a lot, and Superlek has a good chance to take advantage of that. If I had to choose who to bet all my billions on, I’d still pick little ‘Iron Man.'”
“This fight is a dream fight that people have been waiting for ONE Championship to make happen, no matter the rules – kickboxing or Muay Thai. It’s hard to pick. They’re both tough. I will say that Rodtang has the advantage for this because he hits really hard.
“But recently, Superlek looks completely different, more aggressive. He’s so fast, and he can punch hard. Before, he just had his kicks and technical stuff. Now, he added more aggression. Superlek also has the elbows and good hands. It depends on who gets hit first. They each have a 50-50 chance of winning.”
(@johnwayneparr)“It’s absolutely amazing. Superlek with his kicks, and Rodtang with his move-forward, can’t-be-damaged style. It’s so hard to pick a winner.
“At this stage, I think Superlek. He just looks so, so strong. And yeah, his work rate and just his willingness to win, just moving forward the whole time. He’s always exciting, always putting on an amazing fight. He just seems like he’s more in his prime right now. But it’s so hard. I like both of them. It really sucks trying to choose one over the other.”
(@fabricioandrade1)“This is a very difficult fight to predict. They are two of the best Muay Thai fighters today. They are almost the same age, have very similar stories, and are both champions. But I believe Rodtang will be a little more aggressive because he has the advantage of punches. I believe he will try to press and shorten the distance to connect with his hands. But he will be very smart not to get too close and suffer from Superlek’s elbows.
“Superlek should try to work more at distance, using kicks and trying to connect his elbows. As I said, it’s a very difficult fight to make a prediction, as they are two top-level athletes. They are two athletes who have completely different games, so whoever manages to impose their fighting style first will stand out. Rodtang has the same style in every fight. He can really put that pressure on his opponents and has a very strong hand. I believe this fight will end in a knockout, but I don’t see a favorite in this fight.”
“Superlek and I are from the same hometown, Buriram. He is like my beloved brother. Of course, I support Superlek. But this matchup guarantees fireworks. Both of them are good in different ways.
“Rodtang is fierce in action. He has all those Muay Thai weapons. But Superlek becomes more aggressive and stronger. His physical and mental condition are all good. Anyway, I’m rooting for Superlek.”
“I just became a fan of Superlek recently. I’ve always been a fan of Rodtang. But Superlek in Muay Thai, he’s really good. He’s not a brawler. He’s very technical but very strong. Whereas Rodtang is a brawler, and I love his style. It could go either way. Maybe Rodtang gets the KO. Maybe Superlek wins with technique. It’s going to be a very fun fight.”
“It’s a hard one, man. I think about it quite a bit, like, “Who would win?” It’s almost like who’s going to prepare [the best] and who wants it the most, and Superlek is showing that right now. He’s the man right now. He’s just just destroying opponents. He was like Rodtang last year, or two years ago before that. And Rodtang’s being a bit of a superstar now. So yeah, it’s super hard.
“If it’s the best version of Rodtang versus the best version of Superlek, I think if Rodtang can get inside, he wins. If you can’t get inside, Superlek wins. But if it’s not the best version [of Rodtang] and Superlek is staying the way he is, then Superlek wins. But yeah, the fans win that one, man.”
“These are two very good fighters, I like their fights and fighting style. I can’t pick a favorite, but I think the one who is more cunning will win. Their skills are at a very high level, so we are in for a spectacular fight. Superlek will be more comfortable working at a distance. And so, these are two high-class fighters, there can be a knockout both ways. But I think the fight will go the whole distance.”
“That fight’s going to be very good. I think it will be really exciting. It will be really cool to watch. I feel like Rodtang has the advantage in the small gloves. He’s got a lot of power in his hands, which is going to be a problem for Superlek.”
“I think Superlek is going to beat him. I think he’s a little bit sharper in every department, and he’ll have an answer for everything.”
“I used to fight against both of them. They are brothers of mine. Rodtang is a fighter like me, his combinations are good. For Superlek, he has heavy and bold kicks. He’s fast, too. I support both of them. Everything is possible. I’ll root for both of them, whoever wins or loses.”
“Superlek is a very good boxer. For me, I regard him as the number one in the world. I think Superlek has to prove that with Rodtang. It is difficult to decide who will win. But I will cheer for my friend Superlek, for sure.”
