“He’s going to get knocked the f*** out” - Demetrious Johnson says Joseph Lasiri’s chin will be tested against Rodtang
At ONE on Prime Video 4, Joseph Lasiri will face a huge challenge. In a champion vs. champion match-up, ‘The Hurricane’ will move up a weight class to face Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.
The Italian-Moroccan has produced one of the best stories in ONE Championship with his career resurgence. Causing back-to-back upsets in his last two fights, Lasiri won the ONE strawweight Muay Thai world title and is now attempting to outdo his personal best and shock the world by dethroning Rodtang.
Rodtang has gone undefeated in Muay Thai inside the circle with only one man being able to defeat him in ONE Championship – the current flyweight MMA champ, Demetrious Johnson.
After making it through the opening round of Muay Thai of their mixed-rules fight at ONE X, ‘Mighty Mouse’ was able to submit ‘The Iron Man’ in the second round. Ahead of the champion vs. champion clash on November 18 (US primetime), Johnson gave a stern warning to Lasiri in an interview with ONE Championship:
“Well, I hope Joseph Lasiri’s got a tough chin, because if not, he’s going to get knocked the f*** out.”
'The Hurricane' has been stopped twice inside the circle, both coming in his first two fights with ONE Championship. His toughness will undoubtedly be tested at ONE on Prime Video 4, live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium and free to watch for North American audiences with a Prime Video subscription.
Fans react to Joseph Lasiri’s real-life Rocky story in ONE Championship
ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Joseph Lasiri has had one of the most incredible stories on his way to winning a world title. ‘The Hurricane’ has faced a lot of setbacks on his way to the top, including losing his first four fights inside the circle.
Though he was able to produce some impressive wins, Lasiri still struggled to put together a win streak. After finally achieving back-to-back wins, he went into his first world title shot as a heavy underdog, but stopped the then-world champion Prajanchai PK.Saenchai inside four rounds.
With his back up against the wall yet again going into his next fight against Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the flyweight Muay Thai crown, ONE Championship created a video that shows Lasiri's incredible 'Rocky'-like rise:
Watch the video below:
"Joseph Lasiri has absolute GRIT 👊 The ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion challenges flyweight king Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the throne at ONE on Prime Video 4! 🏆 @joseph_lasiri_official"
The video received a mixed response from fans. Some of the comments can be seen below:
@jedi_mindtrix doesn’t see a way that Lasiri can beat Rodtang:
"The only way he beats rodtang is if he hits him with a truck cause he walks through punches kicks elbows and knees"
Another user @tao_lifestyle dreamed of a move up even further to bantamweight for Lasiri for a rematch with former ONE flyweight Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty:
"Pls Up to bantamweight i want to see u rematch Jonathan haggetty"
Instagram user @amazone_shieldmaiden_viking summed up the champ's rise:
"Don't let anybody stop you"