Thai superstar Superlek knew he dropped the ball in his last match that led to a tough loss to Japanese Yuki Yoza. That was why immediately after the fight, he asked to be given a rematch and a chance to redeem himself.
‘The Kicking Machine’ took on and lost to Yoza in a bantamweight kickboxing match back in November at ONE 173. He was able to survive the full route of three rounds before losing by decision but admitted that part of it was because he was passive at some key stretches of the match.
Superlek recalled what went down in his bout against Yoza and his immediate reaction to the outcome in an interview with ONE Championship. It included reaching out to the promotion’s Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong to ask for a rematch at the soonest possible time.
The reigning ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion said:
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“My strength and my output — that day, I made the wrong call by waiting too much for the perfect opening. I overthought it, and I didn’t fight my own style. That created pressure. I didn’t expect him to counter every single move, while I just sat there waiting for a gap. Right after I lost to Yuki, I walked off the stage and told Chatri immediately that I wanted a rematch. If I could choose, I’d want to settle the score with Yuki.”
The loss to Yoza was the second straight for Superlek after he won 11 consecutive fights previously.
Superlek starts redemption tour at The Inner Circle
While Superlek is very keen on running it back with Yuki Yoza, he temporarily sets it aside as he starts his redemption tour in Thailand this week.
The YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok affiliate seeks to get out of his two-fight slump in the latest edition of ONE Championship’s exclusive fight card offering, The Inner Circle, set for May 15 at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
He will take on Russian Abdulla Dayakaev in a bantamweight Muay Thai battle, where he looks to turn things around and make his way back to his top-notch standing in the game.
Meanwhile, his opponent, Dayakaev, is also out to get a victory to bounce back after being knocked out in his last match in January by Thai Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon.
The Inner Circle will take place ahead of ONE Friday Fights 154 and will exclusively stream on live.onefc.com.
Edited by Aziel Karthak
