Rodtang Jitmuangnon has carried the banner for Muay Thai as the game’s greatest star. At ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug, he returns to defend the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title towards acquainted opposition. “The Iron Man” meets Jacob Smith as a part of a stacked lineup in Bangkok on November 8.
Having competed towards Smith already at ONE 157 in 2022, Rodtang is aware of what makes the Brit robust contained in the ring. Nevertheless, that additionally means the ONE Championship star is aware of the place he’ll maintain the sting as soon as the bell rings. In line with the 27-year-old, velocity would be the final distinction on combat evening.
“The most effective weapon for Jacob is his sturdiness. His sturdiness makes him a tough opponent for everybody. I feel my velocity will give me a bonus over him. In our first combat, I fought him with my velocity and agility,” Rodtang remarked to ONE.
“The Iron Man” is assured, having already defeated Smith. Nevertheless, this bout will likely be 5 rounds as a substitute of the three-round bout they’d in 2022. Nonetheless, Rodtang expects a fast begin to give him an early edge towards Smith.
“He’s nonetheless the identical by way of his model. It’s like his engine is sluggish to warmth up. He thinks and acts a bit sluggish,” Rodtang stated.
Regardless of Smith’s toughness, Rodtang is gunning for an additional knockout efficiency. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply he’ll exhaust all his choices to chase the end. “The Iron Man” doesn’t take the 32-year-old calmly, wanting to offer followers one more reason to cheer inside Lumpinee Stadium.
“I’ll do my finest to knock him out. I needed to knock him out as a result of I needed the bonus. However I can’t underestimate my opponent as a result of Jacob Smith is hard and sturdy. Along with his sturdy physique, I can’t underestimate him,” the flyweight king acknowledged.
Rodtang has struggled to be constant together with his weight prior to now. In his final match, a kickboxing bout towards Denis Puric, he got here in chubby. On condition that this can be a match for his gold, Rodtang is ensuring he’s doing all the things attainable to not lose the title on the dimensions.
“I’ll do something to guarantee that I don’t make the identical mistake once more as a result of if I make one other mistake, the belt will slip out of my fingers,” the Thai star stated.
Though Rodtang desires to maintain the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, this match is much more essential as he desires to proceed the game’s progress. The 27-year-old implored his followers to face behind him at ONE 169 to proceed that mission. Rodtang has been the usual bearer for Muay Thai’s means to generate a world celebrity, and he desires to ship one other likelihood to indicate why “the artwork of eight limbs” is essentially the most thrilling fight sport going as we speak.
“I wish to go away a message for everybody: I’ll do my finest for this combat. I would like all of the followers in Thailand to come back to see this combat on the stadium or watch it on native TV. Everybody, please cheer me on. I would like Muay Thai to succeed in an excellent better degree world wide. I’m one one that will assist promote Muay Thai so far as attainable,” Rodtang commented.
ONE 169 airs dwell on Prime Video on Friday, November 8. The motion begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The occasion is free for all Amazon Prime members within the U.S. and Canada.
