WATCH: Rodtang and Jacob Smith’s all-out war

The time is soon approaching for Rodtang to re-enter the ONE circle, but before he does, relive one of his wildest fights in ONE Championship. Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Jacob Smith fought at ONE 157 last May, duking it out for three full rounds.

ONE Championship has uploaded the best highlights from the fight to its YouTube channel. Check out the video below:

Rodtang has always fought with ferocity, and this fight was a prime example of that. The ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion blasted Jacob Smith with whipping overhand rights and elbows and throwing Smith to the canvas on several occasions.

Smith began to find his openings as the fight wore on, despite a widening gash on his forehead. The judges unanimously scored the fight in favor of the flyweight world champion, which allowed him to advance to the next round of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.

While the Thai star was unable to compete in the semifinals of the tournament, he was able to fend off the challenge of ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Joseph Lasiri to assert his dominance in the flyweight Muay Thai division.

He will next strap up the kickboxing gloves for the first time since February 2021 when he takes on Jiduo Yibu next week at ONE Fight Night 6 on Prime Video. Yibu is a late replacement for Daniel Puertas, who was moved to fight in the co-main event in a flyweight kickboxing world championship bout.

Yibu, who represents the Yi minority of China, last fought in February 2022 against Puertas. The event airs live and for free on Amazon Prime Video for North American subscribers.

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Ty Dolla Sign says Rodtang Jitmuangnon is one of the “most talented” fighters in the world

While Rodtang has a huge following in his native country of Thailand, he’s well-known to cultural stars outside of Asia as well.

American rapper Ty Dolla Sign voiced his approval for the ONE flyweight world champion while getting into his car. Speaking to InsideFighting.com, he said:

“He’s the man, bro! He’s one of the most talented out there.”

Rodtang is yet to lose in Muay Thai or kickboxing fights in ONE Championship, competing in ten bouts. He also competed in the promotion’s first-ever mixed rules bout opposite MMA legend Demetrious Johnson.

He most recently defeated the ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion, Joseph Lasiri, at ONE on Prime Video 4 last November. It was the third defense of his world championship, which he won in August 2019.

Next week’s kickboxing fight with Jiduo Yibu will mark Rodtang’s second kickboxing fight with ONE. With a win, he could make a case to challenge for the kickboxing world title in the division, considering he was originally scheduled to fight world title challenger Daniel Puertas on the same card.