Jacob Smith praises ONE’s loaded flyweight Muay Thai bracket: “Every single person in the division is a killer”
Jacob Smith thinks there is a lot of talent in ONE Championship's loaded flyweight Muay Thai division.
As it stands, anyone within the flyweight Muay Thai top five could very well be next in line for a shot at Rodtang's 26 pounds of gold—once Jacob Smith attempts to cash in on his highly anticipated rematch with 'The Iron Man' next month.
Speaking with Sportskeeda MMA ahead of his return to action, the British striker lauded the talent in ONE's loaded flyweight Muay Thai division, saying:
"This is ONE Championship, and we’re not f***ing fighting some milkman from down the road," Smith told Sportskeeda MMA in an exclusive interview. "Every single person in the division is a killer."
Right now, ONE Championship's flyweight Muay Thai top five is a loaded pool of world-class competitors, former world champions, and a reigning two-sport ONE world titleholder.
Fifth-ranked contender, Elias Mahmoudi, is coming off a big first-round knockout against Edgar Tabares in his last outing. Nakrob Fairtex launched himself into the fourth slot via a fight-fight win streak, including a unanimous decision win against Dedduanglek at ONE Fight Nigh 24 on Prime Video.
Then there's third-ranked contender Jacob Smith who will look to cash in on his second title opportunity next month. Sitting in the penultimate spot is 'The Bosnian Menace' Denis Puric who just took Rodtang to the limit in a kickboxing clash.
Last, but certainly not least, is Superlek who reigns as both the ONE flyweight kickboxing, and the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion, and sits as the top-ranked contender in the flyweight Muay Thai division.
Fans have been clamoring for a rematch between Rodtang and 'The Kicking Machine' since their instant classic at ONE Friday Fights 34 last year.
If 'The Iron Man' takes care of business against Smith at ONE 169, is Rodtang vs. Superlek 2 the fight to make?
Jacob Smith runs it back with Rodtang at ONE 169 in Bangkok
On Friday, Nov. 8, Smith will return to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand for a rematch with the reigning and defending ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Their bout is just one of four incredible title clashes scheduled to go down at ONE 169 inside the iconic arena.
Smith, who currently sits as the third-ranked contender in the division, already knows just how dangerous 'The Iron Man' is—having gone toe-to-toe with Rodtang at ONE 157 in May 2022.
Smith was bloodied and battered in his first meeting with 'The Iron Man,' but Smith is confident that he'll have made the necessary adjustments and improvements to ensure he leaves the Mecca of Muay Thai with flyweight gold.
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169 live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, Nov. 8 in U.S. primetime.