Before Rodtang Jitmuangnon finally locks horns with Takeru Segawa at ONE 172 on March 23, fans had a chance to revisit the Thai megastar’s most recent performance.
Back in November at ONE 169, 'The Iron Man' entered the ring with a point to prove. Having lost the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title on the scales just a day prior, Rodtang was determined to remind the world of his prowess.
His frustration found a target in Jacob Smith, who bore the brunt of the Thai’s relentless offense over the course of five rounds.
Relive the highlights of that electrifying bout below:
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From the opening bell, Rodtang was in complete control. He dictated the pace with relentless forward pressure, peppering Smith with blistering hooks and razor-sharp elbows. The Englishman struggled to find his rhythm, constantly eating counters whenever he tried to mount any offense.
Rodtang’s precision striking paid dividends in the third round when he opened a cut on Smith, forcing a sense of urgency from his opponent. But there was no stopping the Thai powerhouse — he was too slick, too composed, and ultimately cruised to a unanimous decision victory, much like their first meeting in May 2022.
Fans in the comments section of the bout’s highlight reel were in awe of Rodtang’s striking clinic:
Rodtang figures in much-awaited clash against Takeru
Now, with that chapter closed, Rodtang Jitmuangnon turns his attention to his next high-profile challenge — a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight against Takeru Segawa at Japan’s legendary Saitama Super Arena.
This showdown has been more than a year in the making. Originally scheduled for ONE 165 in January 2024, the bout was postponed after Rodtang suffered a hand injury.
Now fully recovered, he is ready to put on a show.