“Do what he does best” - Lito Adiwang says Rodtang should stick to his gunslinging ways in inevitable showdown with Takeru
Filipino strawweight MMA fighter Lito Adiwang believes Rodtang Jitmuangnon does not have to deviate too much from his game when he takes on Japanese legend Takeru Segawa in a potential marquee match in the near future.
'Thunder Kid' made this known in an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, sharing how 'The Iron Man' has the skill set that should pose a problem to 'The Natural Born Crusher'.
The Soma Fight Club affiliate said:
"So for me, what I think Rodtang should do is do what he does best -- go there, march forward, and don't give Takeru a chance to read you and throw his combinations and utillize his footwork. Always stand there, don't follow, throw strikes."
Both Rodtang and Takeru have expressed interest in going up against one another after the Japanese kickboxing legend signed with ONE Championship last year.
However, there is no word yet on when a possible showdown between the two would take place or under what martial arts discipline. But things were hyped up recently after they had an intense face-off following the victory of Takeru at ONE Friday Fights 81 last month.
Rodtang returns to action at ONE 169
Rodtang Jitmuangnon is set to return to action on Nov. 8 at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug', defending the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title against familiar foe in British striker Jacob Smith.
The showdown will serve as the co-headlining match in the fight night set to go down at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and air live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Rodtang became flyweight Muay Thai king in 2019 and has had five successful title defenses since, the last one in May last year in the United States over Mexican challenger Edgar Tabares by way of knockout in the second round.
'The Iron Man' was last in action in June, defeating veteran Bosnian-Canadian striker Denis Puric by decision in their catchweight kickboxing battle.
For his part, Smith, the No. 3 contender in the flyweight Muay Thai division, seeks to rebound at ONE 169 after losing in his last match in April by decision to Puric.
The Englishman first met the Thai superstar in the quarterfinals of the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix in May 2022 and lost by decision.