Superlek Seeks Redemption In Dayakaev Rematch

Superlek gets his chance to settle an unfinished fight this Friday when he meets Abdulla Dayakaev in a bantamweight Muay Thai rematch at The Inner Circle 25 inside Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium.

Their first meeting at The Inner Circle 14 this past May ended in a split decision for Dayakaev that left much of the sport divided. The Russian dropped Superlek with a first-round right hand before absorbing a sustained comeback built on low kicks and clinch control over the final two rounds. Two judges sided with Dayakaev.

"My plan went out the window early when I got caught by a solid punch," Superlek told BJPenn.com. "Once I took that hit, I was forced to chase the fight and make up ground, but I barely remember most of what happened after that."

Superlek carries three-fight skid into Friday rematch

The Thai veteran now brings an unusual three-fight losing streak into the return bout. He forfeited his bantamweight Muay Thai title for missing weight and dropped a separate kickboxing loss to Yuki Yoza. His ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title remains the only belt he still holds across a career spanning more than 170 professional bouts.

A victory over Dayakaev would restore his standing in the bantamweight title conversation. He built his training camp around fixing the tactical gaps that cost him in May.

"This fight will definitely not end the same way," he said, per BJPenn.com. "I am 100 percent confident that I will avenge my loss and beat Abdulla this time. Our first fight was great, but this one will be completely different. You said your goal is to knock me out, but I have the weapons to knock you out too, and I promise you, I'm not going down."

The Inner Circle 25 streams live this Friday, August 7, from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

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• BJPenn — Superlek seeks redemption in Abdulla Dayakaev rematch at The Inner Circle 25