Tagir Khalilov is heading into the biggest challenge of his career with plenty of momentum on his side.
“Samingpri” has won two straight fights ahead of his ONE Fight Night 12 main event showdown with ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 on Saturday.
The pair will lock horns in a non- title flyweight Muay Thai contest at the sport’s mecca, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
Khalilov has found his groove on the global stage in recent times. The 30-year-old rebounded from two losses at the start of his ONE tenure — albeit against elite opposition — to record first-round knockouts against Thai stars Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi and Black Panther.
The charismatic Russian’s hot streak has led to him being labelled “The Thai Killer,” and he plans to enhance that reputation by adding Superlek to his list of victims.
“If I win, my reputation as the ‘Thai Killer’ will be reinforced even more. I’m ready to shock the world. Yes, I think I can beat Superlek because I’m confident in my abilities. I can be a problem for him,” he said.
“I will defeat Superlek. How do I beat him? I’m ready for a tough fight, ready for war. I’ve got nothing to lose. I took this challenge because I have nothing to lose. I’m moving up, they’re the ones who have something to lose when they are defeated by me.”
An upset victory over “The Kicking Machine” would send the unranked Khalilov rocketing t o t he t op of the flyweight Muay Thai division, which is ruled by former foe Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Khalilov stepped in on a week’s notice to make his ONE debut against Rodtang at ONE: Fists of Fury in February 2021, and he won plenty of fans over with a spirited performance that saw him pushed the Thai megastar to a split decision.
The magnitude of the opportunity that faces the Samingpri Muay Thai Gym representative at ONE Fight Night 12 is not lost on him, but he has his eyes firmly on causing another boil over and stamping his ticket to a rematch against Rodtang with the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title on the line.
“Opportunities like this are rare, and I want to climb to the very top in this organisation,” Khalilov said.
“I want the ONE Championship belt, and to become the best, you have to fight the best,” he said.
“My goal is to defeat Superlek, then to meet Rodtang and take the belt away from him.”