Abdulla Dayakaev Got The Win He Wanted, Just Not The Way He Wanted It
Winning twice against a legend should feel like total vindication. For Abdulla Dayakaev, the ending left something missing.
“Smash Boy” walked away from The Inner Circle 25 with a second straight victory over ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek, but their bantamweight Muay Thai rematch ended just 39 seconds into round two at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium when Superlek’s right leg buckled during an exchange, forcing a stoppage. The official TKO moved Dayakaev’s record to 17-3 and closed the book on a rivalry he never wanted to end this way.
“I don’t know how it would have ended. I believed before this fight that it would not go three rounds, for sure. But I don’t want to finish like this,” he said.
The opening round had been close, with Superlek catching Dayakaev with a sharp elbow and Dayakaev answering with a left hook before either man could fully find his rhythm. Dayakaev had planned to raise the pace once the second round began, and he was midway through doing exactly that when the fight ended abruptly.
Dayakaev had followed Superlek’s career long before they ever shared a ring, regarding the decorated Thai as one of the fighters who inspired him to compete at this level in the first place. That respect only deepened once the rematch reached its unfortunate conclusion.
“Thank you, Superlek, for everything, for these two fights. I wish you all the best. I wish you the best recovery and a fast recovery. I know you are a great fighter. You are legendary. I want to see you fight in kickboxing at 135 pounds again. I don’t want to fight with you again, but I respect you,” he said.
The 24-year-old Russian has no interest in turning the matchup into a trilogy, choosing instead to close that chapter with genuine gratitude rather than any lingering point to prove.
With his rivalry against Superlek seemingly finished, Dayakaev has already turned his attention toward the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s biggest prize, eyeing whoever emerges from Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon and Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri’s upcoming title fight at The Inner Circle 30.
“I want a World Title shot. Since my last loss, I’ve won two fights in a row, and I’ve beaten a legendary fighter twice. Right now, there’s almost nobody left. I want to fight the winner.”
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