Tagir Khalilov ‘Ready To Shock The World’ Against Superlek at ONE Fight Night 12

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Since arriving in ONE Championship in 2021, Tagir Khalilov has made a name for himself by taking on all comers, no matter their stature in the combat sports world. Now, the Russian talent will once again live up to his reputation at ONE Fight Night 12.

Khalilov will return to the ring on Saturday, 15 July, to meet ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in a short-notice Muay Thai encounter that "Samingpri" hopes to capitalize on.

The 30-year-old scrapper was originally slated for battle against Elias Mahmoudi on this month's card, but after the bout fell through, Khalilov opted to face another elite Thai in Superlek.

"The Kicking Machine" may hold the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title as well as the #1-contender spot in the flyweight Muay Thai rankings, but Khalilov remains unfazed by the striking standout.

"Opportunities like this are rare, and I want to climb to the very top in this organization. I want the ONE Championship belt, and to become the best, you have to fight the best," Khalilov said.

"I discussed everything with the team, and we accepted the challenge. Everyone knows that I'm not looking for easy ways - I made my ONE debut against Rodtang on one week's notice."

Surprisingly, adjusting the training regiment from preparing for Mahmoudi to the likes of Superlek wasn't a massive shift for Khalilov. In fact, the Russian was due to meet Superlek last year, so he enters this contest having previously done his homework.

"The change in opponent didn't really affect my training camp. We made some small adjustments," he said. "I had already prepared for Superlek back then when we were booked to fight, so I had a game plan in place. We had to revise the old plan, but we didn't change much."

In recent time, Khalilov has earned the moniker of the "The Thai Killer" following his latest outings. "Samingpri" is currently riding the best form of his ONE tenure having won his last two fights decisively.

Khalilov first dispatched Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi at ONE Friday 164: Pacio vs. Brooks last December with a stunning first-round display before following up with an incredible showing at ONE Friday Fights 9 against Black Panther in similar fashion.

With two stoppage victories against two decorated Thai strikers, scoring a win over the legendary Superlek would certainly put the icing on the cake for "Samingpri," launching him into World Title talks in the process.

"If I win, my reputation as 'The Thai Killer' will be reinforced even more. I'm ready to shock the world," Khalilov said. "I'm confident I can defeat Superlek. I'm at the peak of my career, and I'm very charged both physically and mentally. I'm ready to win.

"Victory should be one of the last steps on the way to the ONE Championship belt. My goal is to defeat Superlek, then meet Rodtang and take the belt away from him."