“Rodtang can dish out the punishment” - Lito Adiwang says Takeru’s speed won’t matter against Rodtang’s firepower 

Lito Adiwang doesn't see Takeru's footwork being a factor against Rodtang's impressive power.

For years, fight fans have dreamed about a potential clash between 'The Iron Man' and Takeru, one of the greatest kickboxers in the sport's history. Sadly, the fight was never possible as both fighters were signed to separate organizations.

However, that is no longer the case.

Last year, Takeru signed with ONE Championship and has since competed twice on martial arts' biggest global stage, going toe-to-toe with Superlek in an instant classic and earning an epic second-round KO against Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81 in Bangkok.

With a showdown against Rodtang closing in, Adiwang offered his thoughts on how their highly anticipated clash could play out.

"Another thing that throws you off your game even if you have good footwork is when you receive heavy damage," Adiwang told Sportskeeda MMA. "So that’s where I see Rodtang having an edge— is that even if Takeru has good movement, he won’t be able to use it too much if Rodtang can dish out the punishment."

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Rodtang will first have to get past Jacob Smith at ONE 169 before being matched up with Takeru

But before Rodtang can start thinking about an encounter with 'The Natural Born Crusher,' he'll have to take care of a bit of business with British striker Jacob Smith.

On Friday, November 8, 'The Iron Man' will run back his 2022 scrap with Smith at ONE 169 inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. It will be Smith and Rodtang's second meeting after the Thai sensation battered and bloodied the Brit in a three-round shellacking at ONE 157.

Since then, Smith has bounced back with a highlight-reel KO against Walter Goncalves and a solid showing against 'The Bosnian Menace' Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21.

Will Smith turn the tables and take home his first ONE world title, or will the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion deliver another dominant performance and look ahead to a long-awaited meeting with Takeru?

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