Panpayak predicts he’ll be Superlek’s “toughest opponent” 

Thai great Panpayak Jitmuangnon is working his way up the ranks. And he believes that if he keeps winning, another showdown with two-sport king Superlek Kiatmoo9 is possible. 

Panpayak looks to end his 2024 comeback run at ONE Friday Fights 92 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with a win. He meets unbeaten Egor Bikrev in a flyweight Muay Thai tilt on December 20, following a successful return this past October. 

Panpayak has gone to battle with Superlek on eight occasions. Two of those have taken place under ONE Championship’s banner. Many fans want to see the pair duke it out again. But the seven-time Muay Thai World Champion believes he has a long way to go before those talks manifest into reality.  

“I’m not at my best right now, but I’m confident that we’ll meet again in the future. I think I’ll be Superlek’s toughest opponent if I can get back into my best form,” he said.  

“Right now, I’m going to focus on fighting and chasing success in the flyweight division.” 

Panpayak looks to knock out Egor Bikrev at ONE Friday Fights 92

Thai superstar Panpayak Jitmuangnon is as experienced as they come. More often than not, his fight IQ allows him to figure out an opponent long before they lock up.  

But against the undefeated Egor Bikrev, the assignment is a little bit different.  

Panpayak has studied the Russian knockout artist, though he’s been unable to pinpoint anything he can exploit. But should he find something in the heat of battle, he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.  

“From what I see, [Bikrev’s] strength is his punching speed. Russian fighters are skilled at punching. As for his weakness, because his last match ended so quickly, I can’t see any,” he said. 

“If I have the chance, I will knock him out, but it’s all about chance and luck. I think he will come at me and start throwing punches at me. I don’t have a clear game plan because I’m going to figure it out in the ring.”