5 Reasons To Watch ONE Friday Fights 34: Rodtang Vs. Superlek
ONE Championship is returning to the world-renowned Lumpinee Boxing Stadium this Friday, September 22, with the biggest edition yet of its weekly Asia primetime event series.
Headlined by a monumental ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title bout between two of the sport’s most beloved and talented strikers, this week’s ONE Friday Fights 34 is a can’t-miss event for martial arts enthusiasts.
Before the action gets underway in Bangkok, Thailand, we dive into five reasons to watch the 11-bout card, which features a mix of established superstars and rising phenoms across Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing.
#1 One Of The Biggest Fights In Muay Thai History
In the main event, long-reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon will defend his belt against current ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion and #1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9.
Simply put, this is one of the most significant fights in the storied history of Muay Thai.
In one corner, Rodtang, with his inimitable charisma and wildly entertaining style, is 14-0 in ONE Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts and has firmly established himself as a global megastar.
On the other side, Superlek has lost just once in 12 ONE appearances and might be the planet’s most technically sound pound-for-pound striker.
After many months of anticipation, these two Thai warriors – each a decorated ONE World Champion – will finally square off with 26 pounds of gold on the line.
#2 Yodlekpet Looks For Revenge Against Muangthai
Just before the main event, 28-year-old Thai sensation Yodlekpet Or Atchariya – perfect through four thrilling bouts in ONE Friday Fights – will aim to exact revenge against former foe and fellow Muay Thai World Champion “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai PK Saenchai.
Yodlekpet has looked nothing short of phenomenal in ONE, scoring three highlight-reel stoppages to show why he’s known as “The Destroyer.”
His massive power and granite chin will be tested against Muangthai, who beat him twice before joining ONE.
A close-range and clinch specialist, “Elbow Zombie” hopes to prove yet again that he has Yodlekpet’s number and add another victory to his incredible 250-fight resume.
#3 Seksan And Tyson Harrison Return
The show will feature two wildly entertaining athletes who’ve become household names in the ONE Friday Fights event series.
Through five promotional victories – and as many electrifying victories – Seksan Or Kwanmuang has lived up to his moniker as “The Man Who Yields To No One.”
This Friday, he will put his ultra-aggressive, take-no-prisoners style of Muay Thai up against Iranian-Malaysian scrapper Amir Naseri in a 140-pound catchweight contest that is guaranteed to produce fireworks.
Lower on the card, Australian brawler Tyson “John Wayne Noi” Harrison will look to endear himself even more to the local Thai fans when he battles Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai.
All of Harrison’s four outings at ONE Friday Fights have been unforgettable barnburners – including an absolute firefight against Seksan – and his showdown with “Left Meteorite” looks to be no different.
#4 Prajanchai’s ONE Kickboxing Debut
Current ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai – one of this generation’s top Muay Thai superstars – will make his highly anticipated ONE kickboxing debut against Algerian standout Akram Hamidi.
Fresh off a spectacular second-round knockout of fellow Thai icon Sam-A Gaiyanghadao that earned him 26 pounds of gold, Prajanchai could be on his way to a 2023 Fighter of the Year campaign.
If he can take out a three-time ISKA Kickboxing World Champion in Hamidi, the PK Saenchai representative will signal his staying power in the kickboxing ranks – and perhaps his potential to capture a second ONE World Title.
#5 Explosive MMA Finishers Throw Down
Before those epic stand-up wars, the card will kick off with a pair of intriguing mixed martial arts matchups featuring some of ONE’s most talented finishers.
In the opening clash, Filipino star Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang will look for his sixth stoppage victory in the promotion when he goes to war with all-action Indonesian scrapper Adrian “Papua Badboy” Mattheis, who owns an 89 percent finishing rate in the organization.
After that, creative and unorthodox knockout artist Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg will face “The Ghost” Chen Rui in a bantamweight contest that has all the makings of a knock-down, drag-out striking brawl for as long as it lasts.
