Superlek Kiatmoo9: The Kicking Machine’s Best Fights and Biography
Superlek Kiatmoo9, a two-weight Lumpinee champion before his 2019 ONE Championship debut, is renowned as one of the greatest Muay Femur practitioners of his generation. Known for his lightning-fast kicks and knees, he embodies the perfect blend of speed, power, and precision required to consistently compete at the highest level in Muay Thai.
| Birth Name: | Manachai Yamsiri |
| Thai Name: | ซุปเปอร์เล็ก เกียรติหมู่9 |
| Date of Birth: | 6 November 1995 |
| Place of Birth: | Buriram, Thailand |
| Other Names: | Superlek Mor. Rattanabundit, Paib, Superlek Kiatmookao, The Kicking Machine |
| Height: | 5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (1.71 m |
| Weight: | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Reach: | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Division: | Super featherweight, Featherweight |
| Style: | Muay Femur, Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of: | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Team: | Kiatmuu9, Yokkao Fight Team |
Superlek was born in Buriram, Thailand, in 1995. He was brought up at the Kiatmoo9 gym in Isaan, the rural northeastern region of Thailand, which is the largest, most populous, and least visited area in the country.
Isaan is known for producing some of the toughest fighters in history such as ’90s legends, Chanchai Sor Tamarangsi, Tongchai Tor Silachai, Silapathai Jocky Gym and Samson Issan. The significance of the gym’s location cannot be overstated, as many fighters from this poor region are raised in bare-bones gyms, driven by the need to forge their way to the country’s biggest stadiums.
The Kiatmoo9 Gym has churned out several Lumpinee and Rajadamnern champions over the years, including legends like Petpanomrung and Panomroonglek, who are Superlek’s cousins, and Singdam, who is Superlek’s uncle. With a family lineup like that, success was practically a family tradition he had to uphold.
A Teenage Prodigy
Superlek began fighting at Lumpinee Stadium just after he turned 15 years of age in 2010. However, 2012 proved to be his breakthrough year in Thailand’s capital as he won 9 out of 11 fights, defeating the “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai PK Saenchai for the vacant Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title, and successfully defending it against Sangmanee Sor Tienpo later that year.
However, Superlek experienced a challenging 2013, winning only 7 fights from 13.
His rivalry with Mondam Sor Werapon was rife, and had become more heated than ever. Superlek first defeated Mondam by decision in November 2012. However, in 2013, Mondam avenged this loss by defeating Superlek twice in succession. Their final clash of the year saw Superlek having the last word, defeating Mondam by elbow KO in June to claim the 118 lbs Lumpinee title.
In 2014, Superlek competed against Thailand’s best stadium fighters, including Superbank Sakchaichode, Kaimukkao Por Thairongruangkamai, Thanonchai Thanakorngym, Pakorn Sitmonchai, Pornsanae Sitmonchai and Phet Utong Or Kwanmuang. Among his victories included a TKO stoppage due to a broken jaw against Palangtip Nor Sripueng in June, and two back-to-back knockouts via right high kick against Pornsanae Sitmonchai and Kaimukkao Por Thairongruangkamai, all within a few months.
Although Superlek achieved a big win over the technical Superbank Sakchaichode in a non-title fight in March 2014, his title fight against Superbank in May ended in defeat for Superlek via decision. Superbank, who had previously held Rajadamnern titles in the 105 and 115 lbs categories, claimed the Lumpinee 126 lbs title with this victory.
Resilience and Revival
Superlek experienced a challenging year in 2015 at Lumpinee Stadium, securing only three wins out of nine fights.
In contrast, 2016 was more successful as he got the win over Superball Tded99, Bangpleenoi 96Penang, and Saeksan Or Kwanmuang twice, with one victory earning him the WBC 130 lbs World Title. This was also the year that marked Superlek’s first venture into international competition, travelling to Japan to fight Yasuyuki and knocking the Japanese fighter out with yet another right high kick.
Over the following two years, Superlek continued to fight the toughest competition in Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums, with wins against old adversaries Sangmanee Sor Tienpo, Kaimukkao Por Thairongruangkamai, Phet Utong Or Kwanmuang, and Muangthai PK Saenchai. He also reignited a fierce rivalry with fellow head-kick enthusiast, Panpayak Jitmuangnon. After drawing in their first bout and losing the second in 2015, Superlek gained his first victory over Panpayak in February 2017 at Rajadamnern Stadium. However, three more losses to Panpayak followed across 2017 and 2018, leaving the score at one win for Superlek, four wins for Panpayak, and one draw.
Superlek also continued to take on international opponents, achieving a clean sweep of wins against fighters from Japan, Scotland, England, and Spain.
ONE Championship
Superlek signed with ONE Championship in December 2018. This transition was notable as Superlek was already a highly regarded stadium star in Thailand rather than a retiree or a fighter entering the final years of his career.
Superlek made his debut fight in ONE Championship against Cambodian fighter Lao Chetra in February 2019, winning by unanimous decision. He continued his winning streak by defeating Rui Botelho from Portugal in May 2019 at ONE Championship: Warriors of Light, again by unanimous decision.
After defeating Rui Botelho, Superlek spent a year fighting outside of ONE Championship, mainly at Rajadamnern Stadium. During this period, he lost to Rangkhao Wor Sangprapai for the vacant Rajadamnern Stadium 130 lbs title but avenged this loss in their next encounter and secured victories over fighters like Rungkit Wor Sanprapai, Suakim PK Saenchai, and Superball Tded99.
In July 2020, Superlek came face-to-face with Panpayak once again at ONE Championship: No Surrender. This bout was the seventh encounter between the two fighters, with Superlek taking the win by unanimous decision, improving his all-time record against Panpayak to 2-4-1.
By December 2020, Superlek was recognised as the #3 pound-for-pound fighter globally according to The Nation, and after his victory over Takeru Segawa at ONE 165, he achieved the #7 pound-for-pound ranking by Beyond Kickboxing and Combat Press.
His fight against Ilias Ennahachi for the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in February 2021 at ONE Championship: Fists of Fury ended in a controversial unanimous decision loss, prompting an immediate title rematch announcement by ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
In the ONE Muay Thai Flyweight Grand Prix held a few months later, Superlek stamped his authority on the competition early by defeating former RISE champion Taiki Naito in May 2022 and knocking out Walter Goncalves in August with a brutal elbow in the first round.
The rematch between Superlek and Ilias Ennahachi, initially scheduled for January 2022, did not take place because Ennahachi was unable to make the flyweight limit of 135 lbs while hydrated. Consequently, he vacated the title, and Superlek instead faced Daniel Puertas for the vacant championship, which he won by unanimous decision.
Scheduled to fight Panpayak Jitmuangnon in the Grand Prix final in October in 2022, Superlek had to withdraw due to training injuries. However, the bout was rescheduled, and they competed two months later at a catchweight of 138 lbs, with Superlek winning by split decision. This latest win brought their tally to 3-4-1.
ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion
Superlek’s first title defence was against the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in March 2023. However, Rodtang withdrew due to injury, and Danial Williams stepped in as the replacement. Superlek won the bout via knockout in the third round.
In June, Superlek faced two-division WBC Muay Thai champion Nabil Anane at ONE Friday Fights 22, winning by a body punch KO in the first round. He continued his run by defeating Tagir Khalilov in July, via second-round technical knockout, despite missing weight for the bout.
In their much awaited bout in September 2023, Superlek won a decision over ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon. However, the title was not on the line due to Superlek missing weight.
Superlek was scheduled to defend his title against Elias Mahmoudi at ONE Fight Night 18 in January 2024, but Mahmoudi withdrew due to a rib injury. Instead, Superlek faced Takeru Segawa at ONE 165 in January 2024, winning by unanimous decision. Following this, he beat Kongthoranee Sor Sommai, extending his winning streak to 12 fights.
What’s Next For Superlek Kiatmoo9
Superlek is set to face Jonathan Haggerty on September 6th, 2024, at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado. The fight will be for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Haggerty, who currently holds the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles, has been in exceptional form. He is riding a seven-fight winning streak, with recent knockout victories over top contenders such as Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Felipe Lobo, and Fabricio Andrade.
This highly anticipated bout promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the best strikers in the sport today.
