How Wiz Khalifa Impressed 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9 With His Muay Thai Skills — Video

The rapper stepped far outside the studio and into the Thai professional Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer's world, where sharp eyes, fast lessons, and a shared love for Muay Thai turned a celebrity gym session into something more.

Wiz Khalifa and Superlek Kiatmoo9 have crossed paths more than once through Muay Thai, and each meeting has shown why the rapper is not just a casual visitor to the sport. Though the rapper has built his name in music, Superlek saw enough from him in the gym to believe his skills were just as noteworthy.

Superlek Was Surprised by Wiz Khalifa's Natural Ability

Khalifa first trained with Superlek in 2023, when the Thai star traveled across the United States on a 30-day tour with Muay Thai legend Saenchai. The pair held seminars at gyms around the country, and one of those stops brought them to Unbreakable Gym in Los Angeles, California.

That was where "The Kicking Machine" met the "See You Again" rapper for a Muay Thai session built around technique, movement, and sharp instruction.

"He came to learn Muay Thai with me at the seminar. I taught him a few of my techniques," Superlek said. According to the Thai star, Khalifa arrived with a solid base rather than starting from scratch. Superlek added:

"His basics are good because he exercises regularly. He is also a fan of Muay Thai and used to practice this sport."

Throughout the session, the rapper worked through several drills, including boxing combinations into knee strikes, elbow techniques from different positions, clinch work, and defensive movements designed to escape when a kick is caught.

As the lesson progressed, Khalifa appeared comfortable taking direction from one of the sport's elite competitors. When it came time to hit the pads, Superlek was particularly impressed by how quickly the rapper adapted to corrections and implemented new techniques.

The experience also came with an unexpected twist. Superlek admitted he did not realize he was training with one of the world's biggest music stars. "But to tell the truth, I didn't know him before. I didn't know that he is a famous rapper. I was so happy to rub shoulders with a celeb like him," he said.

Some viewers analyzed the technical aspects of his striking and pointed out areas where improvement was still possible.

Still, fame was not what stood out most to Superlek. Drawing on his experience as a four-time Muay Thai world champion with 132 professional wins, he saw something more practical in Khalifa's stance, attacks, and movement.

"After I saw his stance and how he attacked, I can tell that this guy can fight. He is not an ordinary amateur," Superlek said.

Fans React to the Training Session

The video of Khalifa training alongside one of Muay Thai's most accomplished athletes sparked plenty of discussion online, with many praising both the rapper's dedication and Superlek's willingness to share his knowledge.

Several commenters focused on the rare opportunity Khalifa received. "Imagine being new to Muay Thai and being personally trained by Superlek," one person commented.

Another admitted, "I'm so jealous of this man living my dream as a rapper and training with legends but I would be competing as well. Jealous rage." Others were impressed by the rapper's development and discipline in the gym.

"Mad respect! Going base off his rap career and lifestyle who would've thought this skinny dude would turn into a killer [sic]," shared one netizen. A separate commenter praised Khalifa's attitude during the lesson, writing, "Like I love how humble he was Wiz was like a perfect student watch and learn [sic]."

Not everyone focused solely on compliments, however. Some viewers analyzed the technical aspects of his striking and pointed out areas where improvement was still possible.

"Wiz needs to be flexible in the hips.. He barely rotates his hips when kicking.. Good thing Superlek noticed it right away [sic]," another person typed.

Superlek and Wiz Khalifa Reconnected in Thailand

More than a year after their first session, the pair found themselves sharing the gym once again. In 2024, Superlek reunited with Khalifa during a visit to American Kickboxing Academy Thailand in Rawai while preparing for his first defense of the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title.

Despite gearing up for one of the biggest fights of his career, Superlek took time out of training camp to meet up with his old friend and share another session together.

Posting about the reunion on Instagram, the Thai champion wrote, "I am very happy to see you again in Thailand. Welcome to Thailand 🥰."

According to reports, Khalifa was once again holding his own during exchanges with Superlek, displaying the growth and maturity he had developed through continued training since their first encounter in Los Angeles.

For Superlek, it was a chance to reconnect with Wiz Khalifa, who had genuinely embraced the sport. For fans, it was another reminder that Muay Thai continues to bring together people from completely different backgrounds through a shared passion for martial arts.