Superlek vs Tagir Khalilov new main event for ONE Fight Night 12

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After ONE Fight Night 12's previous main event fell through, Superlek Kiatmoo9 agreed to step in and save the day on Saturday, 15 July, with plans to further his excellent 2023 campaign.

"The Kicking Machine" meets surging Russian talent Tagir Khalilov in a flyweight Muay Thai collision inside the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium later this month as Superlek continues to chase his dream of two-sport glory in ONE.

Superlek's short-notice return to action comes after the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship bout between divisional king Roman Kryklia and Albania's Francesko Xhaja was canceled after the latter suffered an injury.

The Thai striker will welcome a quick turnaround, though, having recently overcome 6-foot-2, two-division WBC Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane inside one round at ONE Friday Fights 22 on 23 July and leaving relatively unscathed.

The win added to two previous monumental victories for him this year, having captured the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title in January against Daniel Puertas and then defending it against Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 8.

The year is looking to be a memorable one for the Thai legend, but Khalilov will look to put an abrupt stop to Superlek's momentum and ascend to World Title talks in the process.

After eventually finding his stride in ONE's stacked flyweight Muay Thai division, Khalilov has recently earned the moniker "The Thai Killer" after tearing through back-to-back Thais inside the first frame.

First, "Samingpri" dispatched Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi by knockout at ONE 164 last December, which he followed up with a stunning first-round display against Black Panther at ONE Friday Fights 9 in March.

Should Khalilov provide a performance on the same level as his two previous wins, he may score a third straight victory against the biggest test of his career. And to do it in enemy territory inside Lumpinee Stadium would make for a monumental night for the young Russian.