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Denis Puric was really hoping to run it back with Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the flyweight Muay Thai world title.
While it's still a possibility down the line, it remains to be seen if there will be 26 pounds of gold involved since 'The Iron Man' is no longer the 135-pound Muay Thai division's world titleholder.
The Thai megastar surrendered his belt outside of competition at ONE 169 last month after failing to meet the weight and hydration standards.
It was Rodtang's second straight weight miss after he also came in heavy in his non-title kickboxing bout with Puric at ONE 167 last June.
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Ahead of his next match at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video, Puric spoke with The Bangkok Post's Nick Atkin and expressed his disappointment.
'The Bosnian Menace' shared:
"I was kind of upset for him because he lost the title and I really wanted to fight him for that belt because I think I deserve a rematch. You know, that was a super close fight. I was just upset man, more upset than surprised."
Despite falling short on the judges' scorecards, Denis Puric really took the fight to Rodtang and gave him an amazing scrap.
The 39-year-old veteran can certainly move closer to Rodtang's vacated title if he scores a big win this coming Friday.
Watch the full interview:
Denis Puric expects a tough fight against streaking Elias Mahmoudi
After going toe-to-toe with Rodtang, Denis Puric is off to face another dangerous striker in a pivotal showdown at 135 pounds.
The third-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender will slug it out with no.5 ranked Elias Mahmoudi at ONE Fight Night 26 inside the fabled halls of Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 6.
In an interview with ONE, Puric said he expects to be in another all-out brawl from start to finish against the electric Algerian headhunter.
"I think he's a great fighter. Very aggressive, long. He's got a lot of tools, and he uses them very well."
Prime Video subscribers in North America can watch ONE Fight Night 26 free live as it happens in US Primetime
