Superlek To Defend Kickboxing World Title Against Elias Mahmoudi In ONE Fight Night 18 Main Event

A colossal main event clash between “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Elias “The Sniper” Mahmoudi has been confirmed for ONE’s first U.S. primetime show of 2024. 

The Thai superstar will defend his ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title against Mahmoudi at ONE Fight Night 18: Superlek vs. Mahmoudi on Prime Video, which takes place on January 12 and airs live from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Superlek is having perhaps the most impressive year of any striker on the planet, and he’s continued to look better than ever in his recent outings.  

He boasts an overall promotional record of 12-1, with the only defeat coming in a highly contested loss to Ilias Ennahachi for the flyweight kickboxing throne back in 2021.  

“The Kicking Machine” has since put together a 10-fight winning streak, claiming and then defending the World Title that Ennahachi vacated while also solidifying his #1 contender spot in the flyweight Muay Thai rankings. 

Following a run of three straight finishes, Superlek narrowly defeated ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a 2023 Fight of the Year candidate this past September – though he was denied the World Title due to missing weight.  

The 28-year-old is now returning to defend his kickboxing throne, but he’ll face an extremely stern challenge from Mahmoudi.  

“The Sniper” came close to winning the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title against Petchdam Petchyindee back in 2019, dropping a close technical decision to the former divisional king, and he’s been hungry to earn another opportunity ever since.  

He’s consistently put on good performances against the flyweight elite, and with his dominant first-round stoppage of Edgar Tabares this past August, the 25-year-old showed that he was ready for another shot.

This matchup promises to be a thriller, pitting Superlek’s flawless technique and recent knockout form against Mahmoudi’s relentless pressure and unorthodox repertoire.  

With both men capable of highlight-reel finishes, expect an epic battle for the flyweight kickboxing strap when they clash in U.S. primetime on January 12. 

More huge matchups will be added to the ONE Fight Night 18 lineup, so stay tuned to onefc.com for all the updates.