“He’s not very durable” - Thai star Aliff says Superlek exposed Walter Goncalves’ lack of toughness
21-year-old Thai-Malaysian star Aliff Sor Dechapan thinks Walter Goncalves' lack of toughness got exposed by 'The Kicking Machine.'
After kickstarting his ONE Championship run with an impressive 5-1 record in Muay Thai competition, Aliff will return to the Circle on Friday, November 8 for a clash with Brazilian veteran Walter Goncalves at ONE 169 inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Previewing their upcoming clash during a recent interview with the promotion, Aliff suggested that Goncalves' scrap with Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE on Prime Video 1 revealed the Brazilian's lack of durability.
“From his fight against Superlek, I think he’s not very durable," the Thai told ONE. "But, once again, you can’t compare me with Superlek because we fight in different weight classes.”
Aliff is coming off a big first-round knockout against Zakaria El-Jamari at ONE Fight Night 24 in August. Before that, he had earned four straight wins in the art of eight limbs before suffering his first setback via a split-decision loss to Ellis Badr Barboza.
Walter Goncalves in desperate need of a win against Aliff at ONE 169
While Aliff had made acquaintances with the win column multiple times since making his ONE Championship debut last year, Walter Goncalves has struggled to see his hand raised in recent years.
'Iron Hands' has last four of his last five Muay Thai bouts inside the Circle, his lone victory during that run coming against Josue Cruz at ONE 157 more than two years ago.
Of course, Goncalves's level of competition has been significant. In 2019, he made his ONE debut against none other than 'The Iron Man' Rodtang Jigmuangnon at ONE Century Part II. He followed that up with a clash against former WBC Muay Thai world champion Momotaro before earning his first promotional victory.
In the time since his win over Cruz, he has fallen in back-to-back bouts against two-sport king Superlek and the man who will challenge Rodtang for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship at ONE 169, Jacob Smith.
Will Goncalves get a much-needed win inside the Mecca of Muay Thai, or will Aliff score his sixth win on martial arts' biggest global stage?
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 8 in U.S. primetime.