FREE FULL FIGHT: Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon goes to war in world title defense against Walter Goncalves
ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon faced a tall task in his first defense of the crown when he fought the debuting Walter Goncalves at ONE: Century Part II in October 2019.
Goncalves established his rhythm in the first round of the fight by chipping away at Rodtang's defense. However, Rodtang unleashed the full might of his offense for the remainder of the fight, while 'Iron Hands' shifted his focus to countering Rodtang's strikes.
Both fighters had shining moments throughout the five-round world title tilt, but the judges ultimately awarded the Thai hero the split decision victory.
Rewatch their thrilling five-round battle, which ONE shared in its entirety on YouTube:
Rodtang followed this showing with a stunning third-round TKO of Jonathan Haggerty, who now holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world championship, in January 2020 for his second defense of the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship.
The Jitmuangnon Gym star has, in total, logged five successful defenses of the 135-pound Muay Thai crown.
However, third-ranked ONE flyweight Muay Thai competitor Jacob Smith will look to end Rodtang's reign over the 135-pound Muay Thai division at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' on Nov. 8, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jacob Smith vows to stop Rodtang at ONE 169
Jacob Smith promises he will make short work of Rodtang if the Jitmuangnon Gym star shows up to their world title tilt at ONE 169.
Smith shared in an interview with Cageside Press that he plans to take the fight to Rodtang just like what Denis Puric did against the Thai megastar at ONE 167.
"He couldn't turn up to fight me like that. If Rodtang fought me this time, the way he fought Denis, I would stop him — 100 percent."
ONE 169 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.