Joe Rogan has joined the chorus of analysts raving about Superlek Kiatmoo9’s stunning 49-second destruction of two-sport king Jonathan Haggerty in ONE Championship’s landmark ONE 168: Denver main event on September 6. In episode 163 of the wildly popular “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast’s MMA series, the world-famous podcaster brought up “The Kicking Machine’s” highlight reel knockout.
“Dude, Superlek is this bada** Muay-Thai fighter, and he fought Jonathan Haggerty who was the champion. He caught him with this over-the-top elbow, and it happened real quick in the fight, I think 40 seconds,” Rogan gushed.
Rogan, alongside guests John Rallo, former UFC Champion Matt Serra, and Din Thomas, then viewed the clip of Superlek landing a pinpoint straight elbow to drop the on-rushing Haggerty. The American podcasting legend then broke down the move that saw Superlek add the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title to the flyweight kickboxing strap he has held since January 2023.
“What I saw that was interesting, was someone broke down, there a was a video breakdown of his tells. Haggerty has a certain hop, hop, and then he goes in. Superlek had timed it. He tried it earlier in the round and didn’t catch it, then look at this [pointing to screen], perfect timing. He gets his head off the center line and oh my god, perfect elbow,” Rogan explained.
Rogan’s discussion of Superlek’s finish is the latest in a rising trend of the UFC commentator voicing his appreciation of ONE’s top athletes. It comes as the promotion is in the midst of its latest push into the United States market, with a pair of events in 2024 building upon its highly-successful debut in North America in 2024.
ONE 168: Denver was another successful night for the martial arts giant, with the fan reception reflecting the fights that resulted in seven finishes from nine contest. Six fighters were awarded US$100,000 performance bonuses for their efforts on the night.
ONE returns to the United States on November 8, with ONE 169: Atlanta to be headlined by the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title grudge match between three-weight king Anatoly Malykhin and hulking Senegalese wrestling star Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane.
