‘This Time, I’m Hungry’ – Superlek Targets Emphatic Redemption Against Abdulla Dayakaev At The Inner Circle On May 15

When the call came to face Dayakaev, Superlek did not need time to think.

Superlek said:

“When they offered me Abdulla Dayakaev, I said yes immediately. I’d seen him fight Rambolek [Chor Ajalaboon], and before that, he fought Nontachai [Jitmuangnon] at 155 pounds and also took on Yod-IQ [Or Pimolsri]. After watching his style, I felt like I could handle him, so I took the fight.”

Dayakaev, however, is no easy assignment. The 24-year-old, who trains out of Team Mehdi Zatout, carries an 8-2 ONE record, with six of those victories coming inside the distance. His fast hands and raw power have made him one of the division’s most feared competitors.

He is coming off a heartbreaking knockout loss to Rambolek in January. But that result has only sharpened Dayakaev’s hunger, and a statement victory over a legend like Superlek would launch him straight back into World Title contention.

Superlek has watched plenty of footage on his opponent and knows exactly where the danger lies.

“The Kicking Machine” said:

“Abdulla’s strengths are his punches and his size. I’ve watched many of his fights, and he mostly uses his power to overwhelm people. That’s his specialty. But he has weaknesses, too. I’m going to exploit the gaps I see and make sure I don’t just walk into his punches.

“He definitely hits hard. If you get caught, you’re going down. But it all depends on the technique I use on the day. I believe I can handle him.”

The Buriram native is not simply preparing to survive “Smash Boy’s” power. He is actively planning to go after him, and he has been incredibly methodical in identifying the openings that will allow him to secure a finish on fight night.

Superlek said:

“I want to show him that getting what he asked for isn’t going to be as easy as he thinks. It’s been years since I fought in Thailand. This time, I’m hungry. I want the knockout, and I believe I can do it. My training hasn’t been random; I’ve been finding his blind spots to use them to my advantage.”

Superlek Eyes Flyweight Return And Yoza Rematch

Beyond the immediate challenge of Dayakaev, Superlek has a crystal-clear picture of where he wants to go next.

The ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion made it known that the bantamweight division is not his permanent home. His throne at flyweight remains his ultimate priority, and a return to defend it is firmly on the horizon once he gets his momentum moving in the right direction again.

Superlek said:

“I actually really want to get back to the flyweight division. Yeah, after this, I’m definitely heading back to flyweight. I was the World Champion there for a long time, so I want to go back and defend my title.

“I haven’t abandoned it. The plan has always been to return to flyweight, but if an opportunity comes up at bantamweight, I’m still down to fight there too.”

There is also unfinished business at bantamweight. The loss to Yuki Yoza still sits heavily with Superlek, and he has already made his intentions known to ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong in no uncertain terms.

Looking back at that defeat, Superlek pinpointed exactly where things went wrong.

He concluded:

“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.”

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