Rodtang, also known as “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, went through a mix of emotions during the lead-up to the ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II fight on Prime Video. After coming back from a lengthy injury break to take on Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric in a kickboxing match in the flyweight division on June 7, Rodtang was eager to return to the Circle. However, due to missing weight the day before the fight, the bout had to be fought at a catchweight of 141.25 pounds at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Following his unanimous decision win, Rodtang, the current ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, opened up about his thoughts. He confessed that the negative online remarks took a toll on him and his inner circle but found relief after securing the victory.
Although a respected figure in combat sports, Rodtang faced criticism for not meeting the weight requirement. Despite this, he took full accountability for the lapse and reaffirmed his commitment to the flyweight division, vowing to correct his errors.
Rodtang also touched on the pressures of social media scrutiny, underlining that his dedication to training and peak performance should not be solely judged based on his online persona. Moving forward, he expressed his eagerness to reschedule his postponed bout with Takeru Segawa and anticipates a showdown with the Japanese superstar.
Chatri Sityodyong, the Chairman and CEO of ONE, also expressed interest in arranging the Rodtang vs. Takeru clash before the year concludes, possibly in Japan. Emphasizing the importance of the bout for both fighters, Sityodyong affirmed his commitment to organizing what he believes will be a significant event in Japanese combat sports.
