Superlek reveals motivation behind starting his own gym: "It does make my training better"

ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 will soon have a training facility he calls his own.

'The Kicking Machine' recently revealed the construction of his 'second home', a new gym and base camp in the Bang Kruai district of the Nonthaburi province in Thailand.

While it's still far from completion, Superlek has already been using it as his new battleground and has even taken in some young students to mentor.

In a recent interview with Sportskeeda MMA's Nick Atkin, the Thai megastar revealed his desire to have more access to 24/7 training as the reason he founded his new place:

"I think it's better in terms of training because I just live here so I can train whenever I want to train, around the clock if I want to. And I feel it does make my training better."

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Although Superlek is grateful to Kiatmoo9 Gym for opening its doors for him, he believes it's the perfect time to venture out. He added:

"Before, I trained at another Muay Thai academy, and you know it just wasn't my own gym. It's hard to follow the schedule and stuff."

Watch the full interview, here:

We'll soon see if Superlek's new environment pays dividends in his fight with Kongthoranee Sor Sommai on June 28 at ONE Friday Fights 68: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella.

Superlek insists Kongthoranee is not a warm-up fight

It seems all the attention is on Superlek's upcoming bantamweight Muay Thai world title bout against champion Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168: Denver in September.

So much so, that pundits believe 'The Kicking Machine' will coast through Kongthoranee in their three-round flyweight Muay Thai tiff.

Superlek, however, thinks otherwise. He said in the same interview:

"I don’t think it’s easy as everyone is saying. It’s important to keep in mind that when a Thai athlete fights a Thai athlete, they would know their style. So it’s different when we fight a foreign athlete."

ONE Friday Fights 68 will air live in Asian Primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Check your local listings at onefc.com for the event's availability in your region.