ONE Championship: What’s Next For Superlek After Intense World Title Defense Against Takeru

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The last 12 months for ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 have been the most emphatic of his career. And after his stellar performance at ONE 165 this past weekend, it's clear "The Kicking Machine" has no plans to take his foot off the gas.

The Thai icon defended his World Title against Japanese sensation Takeru Segawa on Sunday, 28 January, at ONE 165 in the challenger's backyard of Tokyo, Japan. And after all five rounds played out, Superlek took home the unanimous decision.

Last weekend's victory took Superlek's winning streak to 11 in a row, taking some of the very best names in the game. So after a monumental 2023, what's next for Superlek?

"The Kicking Machine" has dominated the flyweight realm - with ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong deeming Superlek the best striker in the world. With that, Superlek has stated his desire to climb up one weight bracket to try his luck in the bantamweight division.

The first fight that comes to mind for many fans would pit Superlek against two-sport ONE World Champion Jonathan Haggerty, who also had a breathtaking 2023 as he picked up the weight bracket's Muay Thai and kickboxing crowns.

Superlek and Haggerty have previously met outside of the world's largest martial arts organization in 2018 where an injury midway through the bout forced the Englishman out of the fight.

But six years on with plenty more gold accumulated between them, 2024 could surely be the year the striking standouts showcase the sequel with all the marbles on the line.

Another Superlek rematch that would have fans chomping at the bit is a second showdown with ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon. The pair went toe-to-toe last September at ONE Friday Fights 34 with Superlek winning by unanimous decision.

However, Superlek missed weight in the lead up, preventing him from capturing the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title as a result. Had he made weight, he could have been a two-sport World Champion in his own right.

That detail must be bittersweet for Superlek. And given how the pair continually traded with each other, especially with some fans thinking Rodtang won the close fight, a rematch later this year with the latter's crown up for grabs could be just the move to end Superlek's flyweight tenure with.