Jacob Smith details what he's learned through fight experience in ONE ahead of rematch with Rodtang at ONE 169

British striker Jacob Smith took some time to acclimate to ONE Championship's unique Muay Thai ruleset, but the experience has only made him better in many regards.

The third-ranked ONE flyweight Muay Thai competitor shared his learnings in an interview with the world's largest martial arts promotion:

"For one, I can't just stand in front of people in 4-ounce gloves as much as I want to and love to. Secondly, I can't use the traditional long guard that's used in normal Muay Thai a lot. Fighting in these small gloves is worlds apart from fighting in 8-ounce gloves."

He continued:

"There are small moments where it may work, but that's the main takeaway in this game now. It's kind of like learning a whole new defensive system. I've learned you have to use your feet and move them a lot more than just relying on your hands."

Smith was welcomed to the promotion by ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 157 in May 2022, where 'The Iron Man' dominated him throughout the three-round barnburner in the quarterfinals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.

Two years since then, Smith will now challenge Rodtang for the 135-pound Muay Thai crown at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' on Friday, Nov. 8, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Jacob Smith completely zeroed in on dethroning Rodtang

Jacob Smith cares little for the outside noise surrounding his upcoming world title fight with Rodtang at ONE 169.

In an interview with Combat Sports Today, Smith stated:

"But at the end of the day, mates, all that I'm focused on at the moment is the actual fight, the opponent and the fight, the game plan, stuff like that."

Watch the interview:

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