After a wild and unexpected turn of events, Superlek Kiatmoo9 will now defend his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title against former opponent Nabil Anane at ONE 172 in Japan.
The fight happens on Sunday, March 23, at Saitama Super Arena. It will be part of a stacked event that features some of the best strikers on the planet.
Before the turn of the new year, Superlek was scheduled to defend his belt against Nico Carrillo at ONE 170.
But a few weeks out from the fight, the Thai suffered an injury and had to withdraw. ONE Championship then had Anane step in to fight Carrillo at ONE 170. The promotion also put an interim title on the line, with the winner to fight Superlek in Japan.
Most fans thought the Scottish fighter would tear through Anane. After all, he had made quick work of three other respected Thais in Muangthai, Nong-O, and Saemapetch.
Anane, however, decimated Carrillo in just one round, knocking him down three times to score a TKO and secure his shot at Superlek.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 And Nabil Anane’s First Fight At ONE Friday Fights 22
Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Nabil Anane first fought at ONE Lumpinee 22 in June 2023 in a flyweight Muay Thai fight. On that night, Superlek stopped Anane in the first round, scoring a knockout victory.
But that was the only loss Anane absorbed in ONE Championship until now. He went on to score a finish over Nakrob at flyweight. And after he moved up to bantamweight, Anane knocked out Kulabdam and score three decision wins. They came over Muangthai, Felipe Lobo, and Soe Lin Oo. This led to his victory over Nico Carrillo at ONE 170.
Superlek, on the other hand, fought and defeated Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Takeru, and Kongthoranee Sor Sommai. He then moved up a division to beat Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
Having both catapulted themselves to new heights, Superlek and Anane will face off in Japan at ONE 172 as two entirely different men. With that, we might see an entirely different outcome as well.