The main event of ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video featured ‘The Kicking Machine’ knocking out last-minute substitute Danial Williams in the third round. Williams stepped up and answered the challenge, giving it everything he had against the beloved Thai fan favourite, instead of defending his ONE flyweight kickboxing world championship against “The Iron Man” Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Superlek was able to finish Williams before the championship stages, but sadly for Williams, it wasn’t enough. CEO of ONE Chatri Sityodtong gave “The Kicking Machine” a $50,000 achievement bonus for his efforts. When asked what he intended to do with the cash, Superlek only had one thought in mind:
Superlek, during his ONE Fight Night 8 post-fight interview, said, “Apart from the house renovation for my mom, I don’t think I have any plans right now. For now, I will just finish their renovation for her.”
Superlek defeated Danial Williams to win for the 133rd time in his career and for the ninth time in the ONE Championship. The Kicking Machine will once more focus on flyweight rival Rodtang Jitmuangnon now that his first ONE world championship defence is in the books.
Superlek is prepared to face Rodtang in kickboxing or muay thai.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 is aware that he will eventually run into Muay Thai star Rodtang. Injury caused the two striking sensations to delay their previous collisions between themselves when they were about to happen.After winning on Friday night, “The Kicking Machine” spoke to the reporters and predicted that “The Iron Man” would be his next opponent. But he wants Rodtang to make his ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship available for purchase rather than risking his ONE flyweight kickboxing world title:
“I think I deserve to challenge him for the title. Rodtang is the number one in Muay Thai, so I would like to try that.”
The Thai superstar is aware, however, that the promotion may choose to reschedule his title defence against Rodtang for later in the year if an obvious contender for his kickboxing championship cannot be identified. If that is the case, “The Kicking Machine” will be more than willing to protect what is rightfully his before stealing what goes to Rodtang:
“I do not have anyone specific in mind to defend my title. If the next one who will be challenging me for the belt in kickboxing is Rodtang, I am ready.”
Superlek acknowledges that he did not switch his strategy from Rodtang to Danial Williams.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 acknowledges that despite a last-minute opponent switch at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video, he did not alter his game plan.
In lieu of “The Iron Man” Rodtang Jitmuangnon, who was originally supposed to face “The Kicking Machine” in the evening’s main event, Danial Williams was substituted on short notice. Superlek admitted in a post-fight interview that he chose to chance it despite facing a very different foe.
“I did not make any adjustments before the fight. So I was thinking that I trained very hard for this, and I’m just going to the cage, and I will see how he fights, and I will adjust to that.”
That choice undoubtedly paid off as “The Kicking Machine” defeated Danial Williams in the third round to keep his ONE flyweight kickboxing world title. His third ONE kickboxing win and ninth overall inside the Circle came from this match. Superlek wants to focus on the inevitable matchup with Muay Thai legend Rodtang Jitmuangnon once his first defence of the ONE world title is in the books.
Since years, the two Thai champions have been headed towards each other, but ‘The Iron Man’s’ injuries have so far stopped the fight from happening. The Kicking Machine anticipates that not only will they be able to reschedule their eagerly awaited fight, but that when they do, it will be for Rodtang’s ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship.