ONE Championship: Superlek Kiatmoo9, Yuki Yoza trade verbal kicks ahead of Tokyo showdown
‘The Kicking Machine’ vows to remind Japan who the superstar is, while Japanese fighter says he will own the nickname after their fight
Superlek Kiatmoo9 has seen and heard it all in his storied career, but Japan’s Yuki Yoza may have given him extra motivation ahead of their clash at ONE 173 in Tokyo.
The Thai superstar, known worldwide as “The Kicking Machine”, makes his return to kickboxing this weekend after a brief injury lay-off. His opponent has been making headlines of his own, confidently declaring that he will be the new Kicking Machine after their bout.
Either way, many fans have earmarked this fight as the pick of the bunch on a card full of stone cold bangers, so if it lives up to the hype, the viewers will be in for something very special.
Superlek was unmoved by Yoza’s bravado. “I think nothing of it,” he said with a smile. “Maybe he talks so much because he’s scared of me. This is my comeback, and I’m very focused.
“Yuki talks a lot, but I’ll see him on Sunday.”
The 30-year-old has competed hundreds of times, collected world titles and remained one of the most respected names in Muay Thai and kickboxing. Yet even with his accolades, Superlek admitted that returning to Japan for a major card had him fired up again.