Superlek, Panpayak Advance To ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World GP Championship Final
The ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix Championship Final has been decided, and it’s guaranteed to be a banger.
At ONE on Prime Video 1, both Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Panpayak Jitmuangnon advanced to the finale with a pair of highlight-reel knockouts inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The pair will have a chance to renew their rivalry, which stands at 4-2-1 in favor of “The Angel Warrior,” later this year.
Here, we recap the two semifinal bouts that were showcased live on North American primetime television this past Friday, August 26.
Panpayak Shuts Down Michael With Trademark Roundhouse Left
Panpayak Jitmuangnon calmly walked Savvas Michael down with blistering attacks before putting him to sleep.
“The Angel Warrior” took full control of the match from the opening bell, dancing around his rival with crisp straight lefts and stinging left kicks that kept Michael at bay. On occasions when the Cypriot did advance, the #3-ranked contender threw huge teeps down the middle and followed up with more kicks.
Panpayak piled on more misery until the end of the round, and while the sound of the bell was still echoing inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium at the start of the second frame, he finished the #4-ranked contender with a quick right hook and a final left roundhouse kick.
Michael’s lights were turned off just 10 seconds into round two.
Panpayak received a US$50,000 performance bonus and punched his ticket into the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix Championship Final against Superlek.
Superlek Scores First-Round KO Of Goncalves With Devastating Elbow
It was technique versus aggression when Superlek Kiatmoo9 met Walter Goncalves in the first ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix semifinal matchup of the evening – and in the end, technique reigned supreme.
The top-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender took the first minute to adjust to Goncalves’ pressure, as the Brazilian jumped in and out, trying to stun the Thai with body punches and low kicks.
Once “The Kicking Machine” found his opening, though, he utilized his dangerous elbow and quickly dropped Goncalves in a flash knockdown.
When the action resumed, Superlek fed another jutting elbow through “Iron Hands’” guard. The #5-ranked divisional contender was sent down for good this time, and the referee jumped in to wave off the bout at the 1:35 mark of the opening round.
The victory earned Superlek a US$50,000 performance bonus and a spot in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix Championship Final against Panpayak.
