Rodtang doubts Jacob Smith can bring anything he hasn’t seen before: “I'm not worried about anything at all”
Rodtang Jitmuangnon believes he already figured out everything he needs to know about his next adversary, Jacob Smith. 'The Iron Man' beat the British slugger handily and bloodily when he gave him a rude welcome to the home of martial arts back in 2019.
While Rodtang acknowledges the improvements that Smith has made since their fateful encounter, he doubts he'll bring anything out of the ordinary when they run it back in less than 24 hours.
The co-main event of the stacked ONE 169 spectacle will feature the sequel between the Thai destroyer and the Bad Company/Thai fist affiliate inside 'The Mecca of Muay Thai' Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
This bout will proceed as a 135.5-pound catchweight contest after Rodtang missed weight and was stripped of 26 pounds of gold. Only Smith will be eligible to win the flyweight Muay Thai world title.
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Rodtang will confidently enter this rematch knowing he already has Smith's number.
The former flyweight Muay Thai world champion said during the ONE 169 press conference:
"I prepared everything and I'm 100% confident for this Saturday, and about my worries, I'm not worried about anything at all."
Watch the full ONE 169: Malykhin vs Reug Reug press conference:
Rodtang says he won't hesitate to capitalize on Jacob Smith's mistakes
Rodtang pretty much had his way in his dominant unanimous decision win over Jacob Smith at ONE 157.
'The Iron Man's technically precise combinations and counterattacks completely blew the 32-year-old out of the water. Smith, though, showed remarkable grit and toughness and was able to reach the final bell.
This time, however, Rodtang vows to take the judges out of the equation and go for the jugular. He said during the ONE 169 press conference:
"I will take my time and see when Jacob makes a mistake, that will be the end of him."
ONE 169 is free for Prime Video subscribers in North America, as it happens live in US Primetime on Nov. 8.