“Next year I will reclaim my throne” - Rodtang looks back at 2024, vows to recapture flyweight Muay Thai gold next year

Rodtang Jitmuangnon vows to reclaim the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title. [Photo from ONE Championship]
Rodtang Jitmuangnon vows to reclaim the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title. [Photo from ONE Championship]

It has been a year of reflection for Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

The Thai megastar had an eventful 2024 going 2-0 in his matches for ONE Championship, but it wasn't his exploits inside the ring and the cage that made his year such a memorable one.

Rodtang, who's never lost a world title match in the promotion, was stripped of his ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title when he missed weight for his world championship defense against Jacob Smith at ONE 169 in November.

Taking to Instagram, Rodtang reflected on his bittersweet 2024 and promised to reclaim the gold he disappointingly lost on the scales.

Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more

"The old year has passed and the new year has come. Thank you to everyone who has always followed and supported me, and thank you to ONE for always being a good family. Next year, I will reclaim the throne.👊🏻👊🏻🇹🇭," posted Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

The 27-year-old started the year with an absolute slugfest against Bosnian knockout menace Denis Puric in a kickboxing barnburner at ONE 167 in June.

Rodtang and Puric put on a show-stopper at Impact Arena with 'The Iron Man' taking a hard-earned unanimous decision win in front of his hometown Bangkok fans.

He then set out to defend the flyweight Muay Thai crown against Smith at ONE 169 but was stripped of the gold after missing weight.

Despite the heartbreaking setback, Rodtang utterly dominated Smith for the clinical unanimous decision win at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

Outside the ropes, though, Rodtang received one of the biggest gifts a man could receive.

Rodtang and his wife Aida Looksaikongdin announced they were pregnant with their first child earlier this month.


Rodtang promises an outright barnburner against Takeru Segawa at ONE 172

Before 2024 came to a close, ONE Championship announced that Rodtang Jitmuangnon would take on Takeru Segawa in a flyweight kickboxing super fight in the main event of ONE 172.

Rodtang will square off against the Japanese icon on March 23 at the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

In the card's press conference in Tokyo, Rodtang expressed his confidence that he and Takeru will more than deliver on the hype that ONE 172 has promised.

"I believe we can show everyone the fight they've been waiting for. Please look forward to it."

Follow One Championship News, Schedule & Results at Sportskeeda.

Quick Links

Edited by Tejas Rathi
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications