Rodtang says result vs Jiduo Yibu would have been different if it was a Muay Thai fight

Ever the showman, Thai superstar fighter Rodtang Jitmuangnon was looking for a thunderous finish in his most recent fight and felt he would have gotten it had it been in Muay Thai.

The reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, ‘The Iron Man’ fought in his first kickboxing contest in two years at ONE Fight Night 6 on January 13 in Bangkok, defeating China’s Jiduo Yibu by unanimous decision in their catchweight kickboxing (136.5 lbs) showdown.

The Thai hero was still impressive in 8-ounce gloves, dominating Yibu for much of their scheduled three-rounder, including scoring a knockdown late in the first round.

Yibu desperately tried to keep in step with the Thai champion but just could not change the tide in his favor and saw Rodtang run away with the decision victory.

While happy with the win, the 25-year-old fighter shared that he would have preferred to have finished Yibu at ONE Fight Night 6.

In his in-circle interview, Rodtang said:

“Of course I had to change my style, this is kickboxing, this is not Muay Thai. I always have to be ready to change. If I came for the Muay Thai it wouldn’t be the result that you saw.”

Just the same, the Thai warrior is determined to make his mark in kickboxing under ONE Championship, saying:

“I will try to get the kickboxing belt next.”

Rodtang is currently the No. 1 contender for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title belt now held by countryman Superlek Kiatmoo9.

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Rodtang says it’s time to add another world title to his mantle

Reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon is looking to become a multi-sport world champion, eyeing titles in kickboxing and later on in mixed martial arts.

Having firmly etched his name in Muay Thai, ‘The Iron Man’ believes it is about time to carve new paths and succeed in other sports as well to add to his already-impressive list of accomplishments.

In a recent interview with SCMP MMA, the 25-year-old warrior shared the direction he wants to take moving forward:

“I will set my goals one by one. First, I will go for the kickboxing belt and next it will be in MMA. I have defended my belt in Muay Thai four times and I think it’s time to move for another belt.”

Check out the full interview below:

'The Iron Man' got his kickboxing push going on January 13 at ONE Fight Night 6 in Bangkok, where he defeated China’s Jiduo Yibu by unanimous decision.

In MMA, he got his first taste of it in ONE last year in a special-rules superfight with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson. Johnson slept him via rear-naked choke in the second round, but said he learned a lot from that experience.