Abdulla Dayakaev Wants More Than A Win Over Superlek At The Inner Circle 25
Some fighters chase belts. Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev is chasing something harder to pin down: how people remember him.
The 24-year-old Russian rematches “The Kicking Machine” Superlek in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash at The Inner Circle 25, broadcasting live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, August 7.
Their first meeting ended in a split-decision win for Dayakaev, but a vocal slice of the fanbase still believes the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion did enough to win.
Dayakaev has heard every bit of that noise, and he does not agree with a word of it.
“I don’t think about that fight. I know I won it. You cannot win if you do everything for one round. I won two rounds. This time I will do better,” he said.
“I was not prepared for clinching with him in the third round. I went into the last round thinking we would fight in the middle, and I was not ready for that. But now I’m ready for everything.”
That single lesson from round three has reshaped his entire training camp for the sequel. But this fight carries a personal weight that goes beyond styles and tactics for the Team Mehdi Zatout and Team Chingiz Allazov affiliate.
He has not forgotten watching his Team Mehdi Zatout teammate, Nabil Anane, lose the bantamweight Muay Thai World Title to Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon in January, a fighter who first made his name by knocking out Dayakaev.
Six of Dayakaev’s nine ONE Championship wins have come by knockout, and that finishing instinct has not softened just because this fight is personal.
Watching his own little brother, Asadula Imangazaliev, capture a ONE World Title has only sharpened that motivation. Dayakaev has said a win over Superlek is the kind of result that could put him back in the title conversation himself, and he intends to do everything required to get there.
Even so, “Smash Boy” carries real admiration for the man across from him, admitting Superlek’s ability to absorb an opening-round knockdown and fight back left an impression that outlasts any rivalry.
“His heart is different. He has a champion’s heart. I respect him. I respect his style of fighting. I respect everything,” he said.
“I hope after this fight, the fans will love me again.”
READ MORE: GLORY Signs Joshua Akingbade Following SENSHI Middleweight Grand Prix Triumph
Recent posts
