"I want him to be super prepared" - Superlek wants to face the very best version of Kongthoranee
Superlek Kiatmoo9 hopes Kongthoranee Sor Sommai performs at the highest level when they clash at ONE Friday Fights 68.
The ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion meets the Thai fighter inside the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, more than ready to continue his winning streak with another important fight lined up.
However, 'The Kicking Machine' knows it'll be far easier said than done given his foe's form. Despite that, he is willing to go toe-to-toe with Kongthoranee and hopes the latter brings his A-Game into their June 28 showdown.
Superlek told Sportskeeda MMA:
"I want Kongthoranee to come in super-ready, not only for me but also, for every fight he would have to fight. I want him to be super prepared."
Watch the full interview here:
Superlek heads into his second contest of 2024 off two stellar wins against arguably the biggest striking stars on the promotion’s roster.
In September last year, the 28-year-old became the first man to hand Rodtang Jitmuangnon a loss in a striking discipline on the global stage in a meeting described as the biggest Muay Thai fight in the last 50 years.
He followed that massive triumph with an inch-perfect display against Takeru Segawa at ONE 165 in Tokyo, Japan.
After his bout against Kongthoranee this week, the flyweight kickboxing kingpin will attempt to gain the bantamweight Muay Thai crown from Jonathan Haggerty when they meet at ONE 168: Denver on September 6.
Superlek admits he'd prefer not to face Thais on the global stage
Separately, the Kiatmoo9 Gym athlete shared that he'd prefer not to go toe-to-toe with fellow Thai fighters who want to make it big under the ONE Championship banner.
But if no options are left, Superlek acknowledges that he would be happy to play his part for an all-Thai matchup.
The ONE world champion, in the same interview, noted:
"Of course, if I could choose, I wouldn't want to face them [fellow Thai fighters] because, you know, we're familiar with each other."
"If I could choose I wouldn't want to. But if it really is inevitable, how can I say no then?"
ONE Friday Fights 68 will be available via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com live in Asia primetime on June 28.