"It's very possible" - Chatri Sityodtong hints at Rodtang-Superlek rematch in America after ONE 168: Denver success
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is keen to book a Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Rodtang Jitmuangnon rematch in the US following a highly successful ONE 168: Denver.
The world's largest martial arts organization returned to North America with a nine-bout fight card that provided plenty of thrills and action from its MMA and Muay Thai matchups, headlined by a ONE bantamweight Muay Thai matchup between Superlek and Jonathan Haggerty, inside Ball Arena this past Friday, September 6.
Though 'The Kicking Machine' got the job done in only 49 seconds — courtesy of a trademark elbow that sent 'The General' crashing onto the canvas — the reception both warriors received, particularly the newly crowned two-sport world champion, Superlek, has got the lifelong martial artist pondering about locking in the inevitable rematch between the Thais on one of the organization's future cards in North America.
Speaking at the post-event press conference, the ONE head honcho offered:
"I mean, Superlek got a bigger ovation than Haggerty. You know, I was shocked. And, yeah. So, it is possible that we will do Rodtang versus Superlek II in the US. It's very possible. Haven't thought about it, but is it a possibility? Yes. That fight is a huge fight, a global fight."
Watch the clip here:
A throwback to Rodtang and Superlek's iconic clash at ONE Friday Fights 34 last year
The Thai warriors crossed paths in a clash billed as the biggest Muay Thai fight in 50 years in the headline attraction of ONE Friday Fights 34 inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, in September last year.
As expected, the three-round slugfest did not disappoint one bit. Rodtang, the longtime ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, went all-out in search of the biggest victory of his career. It wasn't meant to be for 'The Iron Man,' though.
The ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion arrived with the same firepower, bravely traded punch-for-punch, and dropped him with an elbow in the second stanza before claiming a deserving unanimous decision nod.
Unfortunately, the Kiatmoo9 Gym athlete was ineligible to win the gold that was supposed to be on offer after missing weight.
Still, the nail-biting nine-round war won the hearts of many, including UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who described the war as "absolutely amazing between two masters of the art."