“I felt few things weren't very fair” - Jacob Smith says he deserves a Rodtang rematch after close contest against Denis Puric
British striker Jacob Smith is set for a rematch against Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon later this year, which he asserts he deserves after the close fight he had previously against Denis Puric.
The 31-year-old Englishman will challenge 'The Iron Man' for his ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 169 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., on Nov. 8. It will be a rematch of their first encounter in May 2022, a flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix quarterfinal match that Rodtang won by unanimous decision.
It is a redo that Jacob Smith said he earned for the solid showing he had against Puric back in April despite losing by decision.
He told Sportskeeda MMA in an interview:
"I felt after the controversy in my last fight against Denis, I felt few things weren't very fair, but at the end of the day, we're all human. We all make litte errors here and there."
Against Puric, Jacob Smith fought tooth and nail, notwithstanding being knocked down twice. He was able to take the contest to a full route but eventually edged by 'The Bosnian Menace' by unanimous decision.
ONE 169 will go down at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta and will available over Amazon Prime Video. Tickets for the event are sold on Ticketmaster.
Jacob Smith vows to bring a better version of him in Rodtang rematch
Jacob Smith has learned from his defeat from Rodtang Jitmuangnon in their first encounter and now vows to bring a better version of him in their scheduled rematch at ONE 169: Atlanta on Nov. 8.
The two met in a flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix quarterfinal match in May 2022, with Rodtang emerging victorious by way of unanimous decision. Jacob said he has grown as a fighter since his last fight against 'The Iron Man' and is out to showcase it in their Atlanta redo.
He shared to the South China Morning Post in an interview:
"The fans can expect everything I usually bring but with a lot more skill and a lot more IQ."
Rodtang-Smith II is one of four confirmed title fights for ONE 169: Atlanta, which also include championship matches for the ONE heavyweight MMA, lightweight MMA, and featherweight Muay Thai world titles.