Born Manachai Yamsiri on November 6, 1995, in Thailand’s northeastern Isaan region, Superlek Kiatmoo9 has established himself as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of his generation.
Aptly nicknamed “The Kicking Machine,” his lightning-fast strikes and technical brilliance have earned him championship belts across multiple weight divisions and organizations.
Fighting runs in Superlek’s blood—he’s the nephew of the legendary four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion Singdam Kiatmoo9. Beginning his training at just seven years old at the renowned Kiatmoo9 gym in Buriram, Superlek’s natural talent was evident from an early age. By 15, he captured his first Thailand title in the mini-flyweight division, signaling the start of an extraordinary career.
Afterward, 2012 proved pivotal for the young fighter. He secured both the Thailand Flyweight title and the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium Super Flyweight championship, successfully defending the latter against Sangmanee Sor Tienpo.
His exceptional skill and dominance earned him the Sports Authority of Thailand’s Fighter of the Year award—the highest honor in Thai boxing.
Superlek’s meteoric rise continued as he moved up weight classes, claiming the Lumpinee Stadium Bantamweight title and the Thailand Featherweight championship in 2013. After a brief championship drought, he returned to claim the WBC Muaythai Super Featherweight World title in 2016, cementing his status among the sport’s elite.
What distinguishes Superlek is his technical Muay Fimeu style—a chess player’s approach to combat. His striking arsenal features blistering kicks delivered with pinpoint accuracy and devastating knees that have felled numerous opponents. This technical excellence has made him a pound-for-pound great in both Muay Thai and kickboxing circles.
Since joining ONE Championship in 2019, Superlek has reached unprecedented heights. In 2023, he captured the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World title and had a Fight of the Year against Rodtang Jitmuangnon. In 2024, he shocked the combat sports world by dethroning Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship with a spectacular first-round knockout in just 49 seconds—a performance earning him Knockout of the Year honors.
His historic clash with Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa in January 2024 was named Fight of the Year, showcasing Superlek’s ability to rise to the occasion against world-class opposition.
Currently riding a nine-fight winning streak in ONE Championship, Superlek has collected five Performance of the Night bonuses, highlighting his consistent excellence.
As Superlek prepares to defend his bantamweight throne against interim champion Nabil Anane at ONE 172 on March 23, 2025, his legacy continues to grow. Combat Press recognized his dominance by naming him 2024’s Fighter of the Year, acknowledging his status as the world’s premier striker.
More than just a fighter, Superlek represents the pinnacle of Thailand’s national sport. His journey from the rural gyms of Buriram to global superstardom exemplifies the dedication, technical mastery, and warrior spirit that define Muay Thai’s greatest champions. As the current #1 pound-for-pound Muay Thai fighter according to Combat Press, Superlek Kiatmoo9 stands as the living embodiment of the art of eight limbs.