Nong-O's message to Superlek after historic two-weight, two-sport supremacy: A lot of people want to try to get the belt
Former long-reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama had some homely advice for Superlek now that he is a defending champion.
On September 6, inside the Ball Arena in Colorado, flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9 became the new and undisputed ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world titleholder after settling his rivalry with Jonathan Haggerty with a first-round TKO.
The scintillating outcome has immediately put a target on Superlek's head, as he emerges as ONE Championship's best pound-for-pound fighter in two weight classes.
Nong-O Hama is, therefore, considerate of the implications of being a double-world champion. Sending a message to Superlek via SCMP MMA, the Thai icon said:
"But one thing is, when you are the champ, when you are at the top, you have a lot of people who want to try to get the belt, who would do anything to get that belt. So it will be competitive."
Watch the full interview below:
Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada can watch the full replay of ONE 168 on demand.
Superbon praises Nong-O Hama's dedication to his craft after exchanging secrets of the trade in a training session
Kickboxing superstar Superbon has always looked up to Nong-O Hama as a wise mentor and fighter.
Getting the chance to train with an icon like him is a surreal experience. The two former champions had a lot to share inside the gym. With two big fights ahead of them at ONE Friday Fights 81, they needed to drill a few extra tricks for that night.
Before Nong-O fights undefeated Russian standout Kiamran Nabati in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash on September 27, Superbon shared a few words of praise for his fellow countryman:
"Even though he's 37 years old, he's still diligent in training, very disciplined, and he is a fighter with a ton of fighting spirit."
Expect nothing less from Superbon himself, as well, when he takes on fan favorite Jo Nattawut in a featherweight Muay Thai brawl at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Thailand.
ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live in Asian primetime via watch.onefc.com and ONE's digital platforms in selected countries.