'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Teenage striking sensation Johan Ghazali expects the upcoming Rodtang Jitmuangnon versus Jacob Smith rematch to be as one-sided as the first meeting.
'The Iron Man' will defend his flyweight Muay Thai world title against the hard-hitting Brit in the promotion's massive ONE 169: Atlanta event on November 8 at State Farm Arena.
Ghazali, though, thinks the Thai destroyer will once again mop the floor with Smith once they lock horns for the second time.
"I'm pretty surprised [that there's a rematch]. It's a tune-up fight for Rodtang, easy," he told the South China Morning Post in a recent interview.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"Rodtang will walk through him. I think [it builds up Rodtang versus Takeru next]. I think that's what ONE Championship is doing," he added.
Ghazali's assumptions do hold water, considering Rodtang gave Smith a rude welcome to the home of martial arts at ONE 157 back in 2022.
The 27-year-old Thai megastar blitzed through the Bad Company and Thaifist affiliate and gave him a gnarly crimson mask after a three-round beatdown.
Smith has rebounded with a highlight reel knockout of Walter Goncalves at ONE Fight Night 17 last year. He'll certainly look to even the score at ONE 169: Atlanta.
Watch Johan Ghazali's full SCMP MMA interview:
Johan Ghazali hopes he can fight Rodtang one day
Rodtang isn't the only hard-hitting flyweight to take his talents to the United States this year.
Johan Ghazali, who is gunning a return to the winner's circle, will take on Josue Cruz in ONE's return to 'The Mile High City' for ONE 168: Denver on September 6 at Ball Arena.
If he could start a new winning streak, the 17-year-old prodigy hopes to realize his full potential and be a world champion one day.
'Jojo' wrote on Instagram:
"To have the belt, that's the priority. That's the biggest right now. But there are a few [items on my bucket list]. In this flyweight division, there are a few [fighters] I want to fight."
Tickets for this ONE 168: Denver are ONE 169: Atlanta are available via Ticketmaster.
