Abdulla Dayakaev and Superlek meet again in a bantamweight Muay Thai rematch at The Inner Circle 25, streaming live in Asia primetime from Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, August 7, after a split decision in their first bout left much of the fanbase unconvinced.
Dayakaev dropped Superlek for an eight-count in the opening round of their first meeting. Superlek, the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion, answered with sharp counters and clinch work over the final two rounds that a vocal segment of fans believed was enough to win.
Dayakaev has acknowledged Superlek’s clinch approach caught him off guard in the third round and said his training camp for the rematch has been built around correcting that specific gap.
“I was not prepared for clinching with him in the third round. I went into the last round thinking we would fight in the middle, and I was not ready for that. But now I’m ready for everything,” Dayakaev said.
Six of Dayakaev’s nine ONE Championship victories have come by knockout, including sub-minute finishes of Nontachai Jitmuangnon and Sibmuen. The 24-year-old Russian’s last defeat came by knockout to Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon in January.
Rambolek went on to dethrone Dayakaev’s Team Mehdi Zatout teammate, Nabil Anane, for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title. Dayakaev has said a win over Superlek would move him closer to a title opportunity against Rambolek.
