Danial Williams jumped at the chance to challenge for a World Title at ONE Fight Night 8, but it wasn’t to be.
“Mini T” was valiant at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on March 25, but he was ultimately outgunned by Thai legend Superlek Kiatmoo9 as the fight ended in a third-round knockout.
Stepping up a weight class at less than a week’s notice to take on “The Kicking Machine” was always going to be a tall order Williams, a natural strawweight.
The Perth native had been preparing to face Rui Botelho in a Muay Thai contest on the card, and the adjustment proved difficult as he received several warnings for catching kicks – illegal under kickboxing rules – in the early going.
Nonetheless, Williams gave it his best shot, utilising movement in an attempt to frustrate the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion.
But as Williams tried to leap in and land heavy shots, Superlek remained patient. The defending champ used his teep to stop “Mini T” in his tracks before punishing him with leg kicks.
The damage quickly began to show on the leg of Williams, as the difference in size and power proved telling.
In the third round, as Williams attempted to circle off to his left, Superlek sent the Aussie crashing to canvas with a devastating roundhouse knee.
Williams bravely rose to continue the battle, but it was all just academic.
Superlek walked down the stricken challenger, unloading a barrage of punches to lay Williams out on his back. Referee Olivier Coste saw no need to administer another count, waving off the contest 1:55 into the frame.
Post-fight, Superlek was awarded a US$50,000 performance bonus for his efforts courtesy of ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
The Thai superstar took to the mic called for a matchup with compatriot Rodtang Jitmuangnon – who he was originally scheduled to face before the bout was scuppered by an injury.
The pair were set to lock horns under kickboxing rules, but Superlek announced that he would like the bout to be contested for Rodtang’s ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title.
In the co-main event, ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues made a successful return to competition for the first time since August 2020.
The Brazilian star proved too strong for interim champion and ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet Todd over the five rounds, walking away with a unanimous decision and the undisputed title.
Full ONE Fight Night 8 results
- ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title: Superlek Kiatmoo9 (c) defeated Danial Williams via KO (punches), R3, 1:55
- ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title: Allycia Hellen Rodrigues (c) defeated Janet Todd (ic) via unanimous decision
- Atomweight MMA: Ham Seo Hee defeated Itsuki Hirata via unanimous decision
- Featherweight MMA: Akbar Abdullaev defeated Oh Ho Taek via TKO (punches) R1, 0:44
- Strawweight Kickboxing: Zhang Peimian defeated Torepchi Dongak via unanimous decision
- Catchweight Muay Thai: Aslanbek Zikreev defeated Rui Botelho via unanimous decision
- Strawweight MMA: Keito Yamakita defeated Alex Silva via unanimous decision
Bonus matches
- Featherweight Muay Thai: Eddie Abasolo defeated Niclas Larsen via KO (punch) R2, 2:14
- Strawweight Muay Thai: Iman Barlow defeated Ekaterina Vandaryeva via unanimous decision
- Strawweight Submission Grappling: Tammi Musumeci defeated Bianca Basilio via unanimous decision
