ONE Championship: Superlek ‘out of ONE 170 title fight’ vs Nico Carrillo, ‘new date arranged’
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ONE Championship: Superlek ‘out of ONE 170 title fight’ vs Nico Carrillo, ‘new date arranged’

Carrillo’s coach JP Gallacher says bantamweight Muay Thai champ has withdrawn from next month’s blockbuster Bangkok card at Impact Arena

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Superlek Kiatmoo9 has withdrawn from next month’s ONE 170 card in Bangkok, according to his opponent Nico Carrillo’s coach.

JP Gallacher wrote in a social media post they had received news on Sunday morning that January 24’s clash for the bantamweight Muay Thai title had been postponed – though there has been no official confirmation from ONE Championship.

It is unclear if Superlek is injured or sick, but Gallagher said that the 29-year-old champion from Thailand had “cancelled” and the fight would no longer take place at Impact Arena.

“We are devastated with the amount of time, work and money we’ve put into this camp,” Gallacher said. 

“We flew the full team out five weeks early, and as we were about to commence work the fight was dropped.

“The title was within reach and now it’s been put off.”

Gallacher said “the only consolation” was that the fight had been “put back not too long at all” – adding that ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong as well as ONE Thailand vice president Timo Ruge had “helped us find a solution”.

Superlek later hinted that the fight had been moved to March 23’s blockbuster ONE 172 card in Japan. 

“See you then,” the two-sport champion wrote in his own social media post, adding a hashtag of the Japanese flag.

“The show must go on and Nico will be champion very soon,” Gallacher added. “We have a new date, so please wait for the new arranged fight date to be released.”

ONE 172 will be headlined by a highly anticipated kickboxing super fight between former flyweight Muay Thai champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Japanese superstar Takeru Segawa.

Superlek successfully defended his flyweight kickboxing title with a unanimous decision against Takeru at the promotion’s most recent event in Japan – ONE 165 in Tokyo.

ONE 170 will still be headlined by a rematch between featherweight Muay Thai champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Superbon.

The card also features a bantamweight MMA title fight between Fabricio Andrade and Kwon Won Il, which is likely to be the new co-main event.

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