"It's time now" - Rodtang sounds off on fiery faceoff with Takeru after ONE 169 victory

Former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Japanese kickboxing great Takeru Segawa shared an intense staredown following the former's win over Jacob Smith at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' this past Friday, Nov. 8, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

During the post-fight press conference, 'The Iron Man' opened up on his heated faceoff with Takeru inside the ring:

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"I almost [got into] another match right there in the ring. And I think that it's time now that I have to face Takeru. And I hope that this is the fight that everybody has been expecting. And hopefully, Khun Chatri will give me this fight soon."

Rodtang's fight with Smith at ONE 169 was supposed to be his sixth defense of the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship. But the Thai hero was stripped of the crown after weighing half a pound over the 135-pound weight limit.

Their world title tilt proceeded at a catchweight of 135.5 pounds, where Smith was the only one eligible to win 26 pounds of flyweight Muay Thai gold.

Despite Smith's incredible effort, the Jitmuangnon Gym star fought perfectly from bell to bell to emerge with the unanimous decision win.

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Rodtang reflects on his childhood hardships

While Rodtang is one of the most popular fighters on the planet today, life was not always easy — especially during his growing-up years.

In a series of quotes shared by ONE on Instagram, the Thai great reminisced on his difficult childhood:

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"I didn't play much as a child. We had no toys or money to buy treats. I was jealous of my friends. I wanted the same things they had."

Fans in the United States and Canada with an active Prime Video subscription can rewatch ONE 169 on demand.

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