ONE Championship News Roundup

Welcome to today's edition of the daily Sportskeeda ONE Championship News Roundup, where we present the promotion's most important stories.

Today, we’ll discuss Itsuki Hirata regretting missing weight in her first fight against Ham Seo Hee, Lito Adiwang predicting that Superlek Kiatmoo9 can win by decision over Rodtang Jitmuangnon, and Superlek believing he has Rodtang all figured out.

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#3. Itsuki Hirata regrets not making weight for first fight with Ham Seo Hee

Atomweight star Itsuki Hirata is determined to put her past mistakes behind her.

The Japanese judoka was set to face South Korean veteran Ham Seo Hee in late 2022, but missed the atomweight limit, forcing their pivotal match to get canceled. Nevertheless, the pair got a new date and ‘Android 18’ is dead-set to put on a career-defining performance against Ham.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Hirata admitted that she regrets missing weight for her initial showdown with Ham. She’s since corrected her mistake and is now fully ready to tussle with her newfound rival.

She said:

“If you ask me what happened, I think it's the same thing that everyone knows. Not being able to have the fight that everyone was looking forward to was the most regrettable thing. As for Ham Seo Hee declining to accept a catchweight fight, I didn't particularly have any thoughts about it.”

Hirata and Ham will throw down at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24, US primetime, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The entire card will be available live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

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#2. ONE Championship star Lito Adiwang says Superlek can decision Rodtang with right game plan

The world title match between Thai superstars Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Rodtang Jitmuangnon is shaping up to be an interesting matchup of styles.

Superlek, the defending ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion, will defend his strap against Rodtang, the reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, in the main event of ONE Fight Night 8 this weekend.

While both fighters are absolute generational talents, their approach to fighting is vastly different.

Superlek Kiatmoo9 uses a more technical style, while Rodtang wants nothing more than to go forward. Filipino strawweight contender Lito Adiwang, who’s one of the best MMA strikers in ONE Championship, said the contrast in technique between the two will surely play a part in their matchup.

In an interview with The MMA Superfan, Adiwang said that the best way Superlek can retain his belt is by being as elusive and crafty as possible against Rodtang Jitmuangnon:

“I think the best way to approach Rodtang here for Superlek, especially since he’s a bit taller and a bit faster, is to try to hit and run. Get the points, then I see him winning. If he’s winning this fight, it will be a decision.”

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#1. Superlek says he "can predict" Rodtang’s patterns clearly

Predicting Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s attack pattern is a tough task, but Superlek Kiatmoo9 believes he’s already read his fellow Thai fighter’s offensive approach.

‘The Kicking Machine’ said in an interview with ONE Championship that he’s done extensive research on Rodtang ahead of his defense of the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title at ONE Fight Night 8.

Superlek said:

“I see Rodtang’s steps clearly, like how he will punch and follow with kicks. I can predict his patterns clearly. Rodtang may hit hard but he is slower than me. This will be to my advantage.”

Rodtang Jitmuangnon has been an unstoppable force in ONE Championship’s Muay Thai and kickboxing ranks. The reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion is a perfect 13-0 in his striking matches inside the circle.

Superlek, meanwhile, is 8-1 in his striking matches in ONE Championship. His latest match was his impressive unanimous decision victory over Daniel Puertas to grab hold of the vacant ONE flyweight kickboxing world championship this past January.

ONE Fight Night 8 is available live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.