“The GOAT” - Martial arts icons Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang Jitmuangnon link up in Bangkok

Former ONE flyweight MMA world champion and now-retired Demetrious Johnson visited Thailand to film a new episode of his "Mighty" podcast and along the way managed to squeeze in a training session with Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon and do some TV work for ONE 170.

The two martial arts icons shared photos of their encounter on their respective Instagram profiles, with 'The Iron Man' expressing his gratitude to 'Mighty Mouse' for taking the time to see and talk to him.

Rodtang wrote in his post:

"Thank you for coming to see me, the goat 🙏🏻🇹🇭"

Demetrious Johnson also had nice things to say about reconnecting with the Muay Thai sensation, writing:

"Amazing time training with @rodtang_jimungnon in Thailand!! Mighty Journey episode dropping in the future!!

Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang were former ONE flyweight world champions. The American legend held the MMA gold until he vacated it when he officially retired from competition back in September. For his part, the Jitmuangnon Gym standout was Muay Thai king for the longest time before it was stripped from him for missing weight in his last title defense.

The two were also adversaries in a flyweight special rules super-fight at ONE X in March 2022 in Singapore, where they battled in a match played alternately under Muay Thai and MMA rules. Johnson went on to win in the second round (MMA) by submission via rear-naked choke.

Demetrious Johnson says he had fun battling Rodtang in special rules match

Demetrious Johnson said his special rules match against Rodtang Jitmuangnon three years ago was a different experience but nonetheless a fun one.

He spoke about it in the post-event interview session following ONE X, highlighting how he had not experienced something like that previously.

Johnson said (via the South China Morning Post):

"Yeah, it was fun to experience that. It's the first time I've had an opponent just cross the distance like that, and that's what we trained for."

Johnson had to dig deep to survive the onslaught of Rodtang in the opening round played under Muay Thai rules. But when it switched to MMA in the second round the MMA champion made his move, eventually catching his opponent with a rear-naked choke for the finish at the 2:13 mark of the frame.