"I'm going in here to win" - Jacob Smith vows to claim victory over Rodtang once and for all at ONE 169

ONE flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith recently shared his motivation to take the 135-pound Muay Thai crown from the reigning Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' on Friday, Nov. 8, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Speaking with the South China Morning Post, Smith stated:

"I feel that's probably a downside to a lot of fighters, I would say, that given these big opportunities, they sort of feel like, 'Oh my God, I fought Rodtang, I fought the best in my division.' That's not my mentality at all."

He later added:

"I'm going in here to win and I've got my kids at home who I also teach to fight as well, and what sort of role model or example would I be setting if I go in there and then come back after losing and going, 'Well, I tried my best.' I'm going in there to win, that's it. So that's my mentality."

Watch the entire interview below:

Smith experienced what it was like to fight 'The Iron Man' when they met in the quarterfinals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix in May 2022, where Rodtang emerged with the unanimous decision victory.

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Jacob Smith criticizes Rodtang's abilities in scathing interview

Jacob Smith has the utmost respect for Rodtang, though he thinks the 135-pound Muay Thai king's skills have plateaued.

Smith said in an interview with Violent Money TV:

"He's had 300-something fights. He's been punched in the head a million times. He lets people punch him in the head. I'm not saying he's past it or anything like that. But what I am saying is that no, I don't think he's improved over the last two years."

Watch the interview here:

ONE 169 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.