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At the first event of the year for ONE Championship, Rodtang Jitmaungnon will look to continue his momentum from 2022 into the new year. On top of continuing his winning run, the flyweight Muay Thai world champion will be hoping to carry over his success into the kickboxing ruleset.
With a change of opponents, he will now face China’s Jiduo Yibu, who is still somewhat of a newcomer to ONE Championship fans. Originally scheduled to face Daniel Puertas, the Spaniard was promoted into the co-main event to face Superlek for the vacant flyweight kickboxing world championship after it was vacated by Ilias Ennahaci.
In an interview with SCMP MMA, Rodtang spoke about his preparations for the fight following the change of opponent that he will face on January 13.
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“I’ve been training very hard. It’s the only thing I’m doing right now. I am happy to fight with any opponent that the promoter is happy to give me. Of course I will have to agree with the change.”
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Watch the full interview below:
ONE Fight Night 6 on Prime Video will be aired live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and will air on US prime time, free to watch with an active Prime subscription for North American viewers.
WATCH: ESPN SportsCenter showcases Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s iron chin, fans react
Through his fighting style and success, Rodtang Jitmuangnon has become a huge star in combat sports. Becoming a breakout star in ONE Championship and in Muay Thai, the 25-year-old has proven himself to be one of the best strikers in the world as well as one of the most entertaining fighters around.
Whilst he has become a huge star in combat sports, he is starting to break through to the mainstream sports audience through his career highlights. Luckily, sports fans are being put on notice with the help of ESPN SportsCenter. The worldwide leader in sports posted a Rodtang highlight reel showcasing his durability to their 32.5 million Instagram followers.
The comment section was filled with praise, including some saying:
“Homie ate 3 fists and danced about it”
"Rodtang is him‼️ if you don’t know now you know 🤷🏻♂️”
"ion think y’all get how demoralizing dat is to the fighter throwing shots, it’s a solid strategy”
"If I ever fight somebody like that on bro imma just give up cuz what's the point”
"The man has over 260 fights under his belt. People talking like it’s his first rodeo. Mans face built with a helmet on. 😂”
Growing up in Thailand, the current ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion grew up without any luxuries and started training in Muay Thai at a very young age.
Joining the Jitmuangnon gym at 14, he dedicated himself to the sport as a way of financially supporting his family and making their lives better. Over a decade later, the 25-year-old is establishing generational wealth through fighting with his hard work and determination.
Watch the Rodtang Jitmuangnon highlight reel posted by SportsCenter below:
