“I respect him massively” - Challenger Jacob Smith says Rodtang deserves the global recognition he’s been getting 

Jacob Smith has nothing but respect for Rodtang, but that won't stop him from doing whatever it takes to take away the Thai superstar's 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold.

After coming up short against 'The Iron Man' in his promotional debut at ONE 157, Smith will get another crack at the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion when the two go toe-to-to at ONE 169 inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

It will be one of four epic ONE world title clashes that includes the return of two-division champion Christian Lee and three-division juggernaut Anatoly Malykhin.

Speaking with Sportskeeda MMA ahead of his return to the Circle, Smith showed great admiration toward Rodtang, but an appreciation for his opponents' skills won't stop him from doing his job and trying to leave the Mecca of Muay Thai with his first ONE world tile.

"I’m doing everything in my power to come for that goal [winning the world title]. 100 percent. I’m not here just saying it, I’ve got a lot of respect for Rodtang. I respect him massively, more than the other people I’m close to at ONE Championship like Liam Harrison, etc. Other than that, I’ve got so much respect. But my job is to come for the win. So yeah."

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Jacob Smith believes he kicks harder than Rodtang

Since coming up short against Rodtang, Jacob Smith has bounced back with a big highlight-reel knockout against Walter Goncalves. He also went three rounds with one of the hardest-hitting strikers in all of ONE Championship—Denis Puric.

Those two performances have more than proven himself worthy of a rematch with 'The Iron Man.' But if Smith hopes to break through and best Rodtang at ONE 169, he'll have to stick to his strengths.

"I probably kick harder I would say and I'm probably a little bigger than him. No, I can't do a list of what his strengths and weaknesses are. You're just going to have to wait and see."

Will 'The Iron Man' go two-up on Smith, or will the British star shock the world and take ONE gold back home to the U.K.?

Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 8 in U.S. primetime.