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Andrew Whitelaw

Superlek Kiatmoo9 has been persuaded to return to the ring and will face Yuki Yoza in a bantamweight kickboxing clash at ONE 173 on November 16.
Earlier this month, the Muay Thai legend told the Post he was unlikely to fight again in 2025.
However, after he was called out by Yoza on social media, Superlek took the opportunity to get back in the ring and will fight his Japanese opponent in Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
“You said you were giving me nightmares. But when I defeat you, it’s not a nightmare, it’s a prophetic dream,” Yoza wrote to Superlek.
Superlek, 29, will be looking to rebound from his loss to Nabil Anane at ONE 172, also in Tokyo.

The Thai superstar, known as “The Kicking Machine,” has taken time off to recover from injuries and now returns in a pivotal bout that could shape the division’s title picture.
In Yoza, he faces a well-established name in Japanese kickboxing who has already made his mark in ONE with two strong performances. A former K-1 world champion with a reputation as one of the sport’s top strikers, Yoza impressed in his most recent outing by outpointing former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE Friday Fights 116 in July.
That performance drew reactions from both Superlek and current champion Jonathan Haggerty, with the Thai now stepping up to welcome Yoza into the division’s elite. The Japanese striker is expected to claim Petchtanong’s No 3 ranking, while Superlek currently sits at No 5.
With Haggerty likely to face Anane next, the winner of Yoza vs Superlek could well find themselves next in line for a shot at the bantamweight kickboxing crown.
ONE 173 also sees Stamp Fairtex returning to Tokyo to face Japan’s Kana Morimoto in a compelling kickboxing showdown between two former K-1 champions.
Stamp vacated her ONE atomweight MMA world title earlier this year because of a long-standing knee injury and had been scheduled to defend it against her former training partner Denice Zamboanga. Instead, the Filipino took the vacant belt – and now all three women will be in action on the same card.
Zamboanga is set to defend the atomweight MMA belt for the first time against Japan’s Ayaka Miura, who is riding a four-fight winning streak with three submission finishes.
Four world title fights are confirmed for ONE 173 at present.
The main event will see Superbon Singha Mawynn return to defend the ONE featherweight kickboxing belt against interim champion Masaaki Noiri. The Japanese ace claimed interim gold in March and will have the chance to unify the division in front of his home fans.
In the co-main event, heavyweight MMA champion Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane puts his title on the line in a rematch with Anatoly Malykhin, who he stunned to capture the belt initially.
Malykhin will be looking to bounce back from the first defeat of his career.
Strawweight MMA champion Joshua Pacio will also move up to challenge Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE flyweight MMA world title in another high-stakes cross-divisional clash.


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ONE Championship: Tawanchai aims to revive title bid against China’s Liu Mengyang

ONE Championship: Baatarkhuu submits Andrade to win MMA world title at Fight Night 38

Phetjeeja says potential Rodrigues fight has makings of ‘classic like Rodtang v Superlek’

ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Superlek lured back into ring in to fight Japanese kickboxer in Tokyo

Superlek Kiatmuu9, Yuki Yoza, Stamp Fairtex and Kana Morimoto (left to right) will be in the ring at ONE 173 in Tokyo. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship’s Superlek Kiatmoo9 previously said he was unlikely to return to the ring in 2025. Photo: Edmond So

Sport

Martial Arts

Muay Thai legend told the Post he was unlikely to fight again in 2025 but performed a U-turn after being called out on social media


Muay Thai legend told the Post he was unlikely to fight again in 2025 but performed a U-turn after being called out on social media.


ONE Championship: Superlek lured back into ring in to fight Japanese kickboxer in Tokyo

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Muay Thai legend told the Post he was unlikely to fight again in 2025 but performed a U-turn after being called out on social media

Muay Thai legend told the Post he was unlikely to fight again in 2025 but performed a U-turn after being called out on social media