Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
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NE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon returns to the ONE Championship Circle at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot on Friday to face debutant Jacob Smith in the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix quarterfinals.
The illustrious tournament kicks off inside Singapore Indoor Stadium that evening, with eight of the best flyweight strikers competing for the coveted silver belt. Seven of the athletes will also fight for the chance to challenge Rodtang for his belt. That prize is guaranteed to the Grand Prix winner, should the reigning king suffer defeat in any round.
With ONE gold under his belt, over 300 bouts to his name and a trilogy fight with top-contender Jonathan Haggerty being a possibility at some stage in the tournament, “The Iron Man” would be forgiven if he were overlooking his upcoming opponent. But in fact, he is fully focused on his British rival’s skills.
“My opponent in this fight is considered really good at Muay Thai rules. As far as I have studied him from videos, I watched how he fights. He is awesome at Muay Thai,” Rodtang said.
“I can’t be careless. I’m meeting him in the first round of this tournament, but it’s not going to be easy.”
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The 24-year-old dynamo is right not to discount Smith as a genuine threat. The Englishman trains with compatriot Liam “Hitman” Harrison at Bad Company and has amassed an impressive 14-5-1 record in his career so far.
Though that fails to come close to Rodtang’s fight experience, which includes a perfect 10-0 record in ONE’s striking disciplines, “The Iron Man” still deems Smith a worthy opponent – and his greatest challenge in the upcoming Grand Prix.
“We’ll have to see how hard or easy it goes. I just can’t be careless as this is a ‘small gloves’ fight, and he has a similar fighting style with heavy weapons. I haven’t seen any of his weaknesses yet, from what I’ve studied,” Rodtang said.
“He is the most dangerous of the group. If I get through Jacob Smith, the following fights might be easier.”
Watch ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot live on NETVERSE, Vidio, Kaskus TV, or MAXstream beginning with the lead card at 3:30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Friday, May 20.
The main card broadcasts live on NETVERSE, Vidio.com, Kaskus TV and MAXstream at 7:30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB). Also, NET TV will air a same-day replay at 10:30 p.m.
This article is published in collaboration with ONE Championship.