ONE Friday Fights 34: Biggest Muay Thai fight in 50 years is a classic, tough night for MENA fighters

Muay Thai’s biggest fight in five decades didn’t disappoint as Superlek scored a historic win over Rodtang in an instant classic – but MENA fighters went 0-3 in Bangkok. In front of a capacity crowd at the Lumpinee Stadium, Superlek overcame adversity to defeat the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion in a three-round thriller. After Superlek missed weight, the title was not on the line but that didn’t detract from what was always going to be an incredible spectacle. Flyweight kickboxing champ Superlek had started well, using his trademark kicks to chop at the legs, but it was Rotang’s elbows that would do the real damage – opening up two sizeable cuts on his opponent. Momentum shifted in the second round however, with Superlek controlling distance well and finding a home for well placed knees and elbows of his own eventually dropping the champion in what would be the turning point of the fight. Further pressure in the third round helped Superlek to a unanimous decision win – and fans wondering what might come between these two men again in the future. Iran-born Amir Naseri put on a brave display in the co-main event but was unable to break down the constant pressure of Seksan. ‘The Man Who Yields to No One’ threw power shot after power shot, but Naseri took everything thrown at him – but ended up on the wrong end of a unanimous decision.  Seksan aimed with vicious intent from the outset, but Neseri remained composed, finding his range well with elbows of his own. Both men showed the scars of battle at the end of three rounds with both eyebrows of Neseri bleeding significantly, while a huge haematoma had formed on the forehead of the Thai fighter – but he was still able to get his arm raised.     Algerian standout Akram Hamidi was unable to get what would have been the biggest win of his career as he dropped to a unanimous decision against Prajanchai. The Thai fighter is the current interim strawweight Muay Thai world champion, but looked right at home during his kickboxing debut.  Hamidi showed flashes of his ability throughout the contest, but Prajanchai was always one step ahead and almost finished the fight with a blistering left hook at the end of the second round which left Hamidi on the canvas and thankful to hear the bell. The third round saw both men trying to pour on the pressure, but it was the variety and speed shown by Prajanchai that guided him to victory. It was another tough night for Iran’s Saman Ashouri who slipped to his third consecutive ONE defeat. He had started promisingly against Thailand’s Suakim, looking to close the distance and not afraid to let his hands go. However as the bout progressed, and Ashouri continued to move forward, Suakim would counter with a vicious right elbow, followed up with a big straight left to end things in the first round. Elsewhere, it was two youngsters who really caught the eye. First it was 23-year-old Songchainoi who produced a stunning display to KO veteran Jomhod in the second round. Portugal’s Miguel Trindade went one better – the 22-year-old stopping Sibmuen in the first round with an aggressive display of accurate hand and knee strikes.