5 Burning Questions Heading Into ONE Friday Fights 34: Superlek vs. Rodtang
When ONE Championship touches down at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on September 22 for ONE Friday Fights 34: Rodtang vs. Superlek, it will bring a stacked 11-bout card filled with compelling storylines.
Topped by a monumental main event and featuring several of the most exciting names in the organization, the lineup offers plenty of intrigue for the fans in Bangkok and those watching live around the globe in Asia primetime.
With that said, here are five burning questions that will be answered in Thailand this Friday.
#1 Can Superlek Dethrone Rodtang And Steal His Star Power?
The headline attraction will see long-reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon – undefeated across 14 striking bouts in ONE – defend his gold against current flyweight kickboxing kingpin Superlek Kiatmoo9.
This highly anticipated World Title showdown is perhaps the most significant Muay Thai fight of the past two decades.
Thanks to his inimitable charisma and electrifying style of combat, Rodtang has firmly established himself as a global superstar who’s beloved by fans.
But Superlek, with just a single defeat in 12 ONE fights, will be “The Iron Man’s” toughest assignment in the organization and could propel himself to entirely new levels of fame and acclaim if he takes out his Thai compatriot.
A victory for “The Kicking Machine” would not only make him a two-sport king, but it would also launch his star power to never-before-seen heights.
#2 Can Prajanchai Kick-Start A Run Toward Two-Sport Gold?
Current ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai will make his first ONE kickboxing appearance against Algerian standout Akram “La Pépite” Hamidi.
Fresh off a stunning World Title-winning stoppage victory over iconic striker Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Prajanchai might be in the finest form of his decorated career.
The Thai superstar now hopes to build on that success when he dons the bigger 8-ounce gloves to battle three-time ISKA Kickboxing World Champion Hamidi.
If he can outstrike the talented Algerian, Prajanchai will announce himself as a serious contender in the strawweight kickboxing division.
#3 Can Yodlekpet Finally Defeat Muangthai?
In 138-pound catchweight Muay Thai action, Yodlekpet “The Destroyer” Or Atchariya will look for his fifth victory in as many ONE Friday Fights appearances, but he’ll be facing a man who’s twice defeated him outside of the organization.
Known as “Elbow Zombie,” Muangthai PK Saenchai boasts more than 200 career victories, including his wins over Yodlekpet. And while he comes into this fight following a tough loss, he’s consistently found himself among the best Muay Thai athletes on the planet.
For “The Destroyer,” this will be his opportunity to showcase his improvements, prove that his rival no longer has his number, and remove any doubts that he has true ONE World Title potential.
#4 Is Lito Adiwang All The Way Back From Injury?
After winning seven of his first nine bouts in ONE, Filipino sensation Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang looked like a man destined for the top of the strawweight MMA division.
But in March 2022 at ONE X, the wushu stylist suffered a crippling knee injury, forcing him on the shelf for over a year.
This Friday, the 30-year-old will make his long-awaited return to competition when he squares off with well-rounded Indonesian finisher Adrian Mattheis.
How he fares against “Papua Badboy” will be telling for Adiwang and his future in the division. Will he reclaim the form that saw him score five thrilling finishes against elite competition in ONE, or will the injury and time away hold him back from performing at his best?
#5 Is Tyson Harrison A World Title Threat At Bantamweight?
With four unforgettable performances in ONE Friday Fights already, Australian phenom Tyson “John Wayne Noi” Harrison has earned his reputation in Bangkok as an all-action brawler.
But despite the exciting nature of his fights, the 22-year-old has alternated wins and losses in the organization.
This Friday, he’ll aim to prove he’s more than just an entertainer when he takes on local hero Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai in a difficult bantamweight Muay Thai matchup.
A veteran of eight fights in ONE, “Left Meteorite” is a two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion and has spent plenty of time on the cusp of a ONE World Title shot.
If Harrison can get past the elite Thai striker, he will have earned his spot among the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s finest.
