“I'm always going for the finish” - Jacob Smith admits desire to put on a show sometimes leads to his downfall

British striker Jacob Smith admits that his penchant for putting on a show in each of his matches acts as a double-edged sword. Just the same, it is not stopping him from going for a win in his title showdown with Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon next month.

The Bad Company representative will challenge 'The Iron Man' for his flyweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' on Nov. 8 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a rematch of their first encounter two years ago, where the Jitmuangnon Gym standout won by decision.

In an interview with Combat Sports Today, which was uploaded on YouTube on Oct. 19, in line with his upcoming redo with Rodtang, Smith said he expects to emerge victorious just as he vowed to continue to be entertaining.

He said:

"My prediction is a win. Now, whether that comes on points or whether that [KO] comes. Look, my style is very entertaining. I'm always going for the finish, always. Sometimes a little too much, maybe, and let's say I'm going to win the fight."

Watch the interview in full below:

Jacob Smith first took on Rodtang in his promotional debut in May 2022 in a ONE flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix quarterfinal clash. He, however, was dominated by the Thai fighter en route to a unanimous decision victory.

ONE 169 will be aired live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

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Jacob Smith out to shock the world with win over Rodtang in rematch

Jacob Smith knows that the odds continue to be against him in his rematch with Rodtang Jitmuangnon but he is undeterred, looking to shock the world with a victory at ONE 169 on Nov. 8 in Thailand.

He made his intentions known in an interview with Cageside Press, asserting that amid the pressure of going up against a longtime champion and a tormentor of his, he is determined to rise up and succeed.

The Englishman said:

"I hold [myself to] high standards. So the only pressure I feel is the one I'm putting on myself."

Apart from exacting payback on Rodtang and becoming the new ONE flyweight Muay Thai king at ONE 169, providing extra motivation to Smith is the narrow loss he absorbed in his previous match in April to Bosnian-Canadian fighter Denis Puric.