ONE Championship: Superlek Kiatmoo9 handed risky tune-up bout against Kongthoranee Sor Sommai at ONE Friday Fights 64
- Thai flyweight Muay Thai champion is preparing to move up to bantamweight to challenge Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168
- The bout against Kongthoranee is not for a title but is a high-risk one as his compatriot’s recent resume has been impressive
Superlek Kiatmoo9 already has a huge fight booked in September, when he will be moving up to bantamweight to challenge Jonathan Haggerty for his Muay Thai title at ONE 168.
But the Thai veteran has not exactly cleared his schedule to prepare for that bout – instead, he has accepted a tough tune-up match next month.
At ONE Friday Fights 64 on June 28, Superlek will face compatriot Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in a non-title flyweight Muay Thai fight. It is the second bout to be confirmed on what looks set to be a star-studded card at Lumpinee Stadium.
The other fight confirmed will have a title on the line, with Prajanchai PKSaenchaigym facing Jonathan Di Bella for the strawweight kickboxing title that was made vacant earlier this month when the Canadian could not make weight.
Superlek holds the flyweight Muay Thai title but he will not be putting it on the line in June. He has won 11 fights in a row while his opponent is coming off a run of seven straight victories.
Superlek has established himself as one of the best fighters in the world in both kickboxing and Muay Thai.
He beat Takeru Segawa at ONE 165 in January and claimed a victory over Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE Friday Fights 34 last September.
While Kongthoranee has not been fighting quite such celebrated opponents, his recent resume is impressive.
The former Rajadamnern lightweight and super bantamweight champion beat Jawsuayai Sor. Dechaphan, Gingsanglek Tor. Laksong and ET Teeded99 during his winning streak.
Superlek is moving up in weight for the Haggerty rematch and will have just over two months to increase his body weight by 10lbs (4.5kg).
This makes it essential that he gets past Kongthoranee without suffering any serious damage.
For Kongthoranee, this is an opportunity to claim a win over a current champion and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the roster.
The 27-year-old will be looking to cause the ONE Championship matchmakers a major headache by pulling off what would be a major upset.
