“My speed will give me an advantage” - Rodtang says he’ll run circles around Jacob Smith again in ONE 169 rematch

ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon is confident of getting the better of Jacob Smith again in their scheduled rematch next month. He said he will banking on making the most his strengths, and particularly, his speed advantage over the British striker.

'The Iron Man' will make his sixth defense of his world title at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Nov. 8 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. He will take on Smith in a rematch after he defeated in their first encounter in May 2022.

Speaking to ONE Championship in an interview ahead of ONE 169, Rodtang asserted that nothing much has changed with Smith from their first meeting and that his speed and agility will be vital in the rematch.

He said:

"I think my speed will give me an advantage over him. In our first fight, I fought him with my speed and agility."

Rodtang took on Smith in May 2022 in a ONE flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix quartefinal match. He ended up winning by decision.

Heading into ONE 169, he is coming off a victory by decision in his last match back in June, where he defeated Bosnian-Canadian fighter Denis Puric.

ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug will air live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Lito Adiwang expects another impressive performance from Rodtang against Jacob Smith

Filipino MMA fighter Lito Adiwang is expecting another impressive performance from Rodtang Jitmuangnon in his rematch with Smith at ONE 169 on Nov. 8, and highlighted the explosive nature of the Thai superstar.

'Thunder Kid' shared this in an interview with Sportskeeda MMA when asked for his thoughts on the co-headlining contest of ONE 169, saying:

"[I'm] 80 percent excited, because we've seen this before. If this was going to be their first encounter, maybe I'd get a little more excited because I want to find out what happens. But we all know who Rodtang is."

Rodtang became ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion in August 2019 and has had five successful title defenses to date, the most recent in May 2023 over Mexican challenger Edgar Tabares by second-round knockout.