Superlek vacates ONE flyweight kickboxing title to focus on knee recovery

The Thai star, who knocked out Britain's Jonathan Haggerty in the first round during a 15-1 run, is giving up the belt to recover from a torn ACL. "I will be back," he said.

Superlek has given up the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title to concentrate on recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, ONE Championship announced.

The 30-year-old was hurt in his bantamweight Muay Thai rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev at The Inner Circle 25 on 7 August. The injury needed extensive surgery and a long rehabilitation.

"After taking some time to reflect and consulting with my team, I have decided to officially vacate the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship," Superlek wrote on Facebook, in ONE's translation from Thai. "Holding this belt has been a tremendous honor and a source of great pride for me... For now, I need to take some time to let my body fully recover, and then I will be back."

He gives up the belt at the end of a 15-1 run against the biggest names in ONE. That included first-round knockouts of Britain's Jonathan Haggerty, the bantamweight kickboxing champion, and of former titleholder Nabil Anane, and two fights with Japan's Takeru Segawa and former flyweight Muay Thai champion Rodtang. Along the way he also won the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai title, making him a champion in two sports.