Superlek — “The Kicking Machine” — has officially relinquished the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title so he can focus on recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
ONE Championship reported the decision on September 24, 2026, citing Superlek’s Facebook post. The Thai star said he is stepping away from the flyweight kickboxing crown after reflecting with his team and choosing rehabilitation over holding the belt through a long recovery.
“After taking some time to reflect and consulting with my team, I have decided to officially vacate the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship.
“Holding this belt has been a tremendous honor and a source of great pride for me. Winning it was not easy—it required enduring exhaustion, pain, and countless challenges. And of course, I dreamed of holding the championship for as long as possible. Thank you to ONE for giving me the opportunity to prove myself on this stage, and thank you to all the fans who have continually supported me and stood by my side. For now, I need to take some time to let my body fully recover, and then I will be back.”
ONE said the injury happened in Superlek’s bantamweight Muay Thai rematch with Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev at The Inner Circle 25 on August 7, and that it required extensive surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. The promotion described the move as stepping away from the 26 pounds of kickboxing gold so the 30-year-old can heal before returning.
Before the setback, ONE framed Superlek’s recent form as a 15-1 stretch against top opposition. That run included first-round knockouts of Jonathan “The General” Haggerty and Nabil Anane, plus high-profile fights with Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa and Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon. Beyond the flyweight kickboxing reign, he also won the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title and became a two-sport ONE World Champion — a rare mark in the promotion. ONE noted he was later stripped of the bantamweight crown after missing weight ahead of his Anane rematch at ONE 172 in March 2025. The organization lists his professional record at 139-33.
For now, ONE says Superlek’s focus is rehabilitation, with further updates on his recovery and return to come via onefc.com.
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