Rodtang-Jacob Smith rematch for ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title set for star-studded ONE 169: Atlanta
An epic world title tilt between ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Jacob Smith is headed to ONE 169: Atlanta on Nov. 8.
'The Iron Man' and the No.3-ranked contender treated the global audience to a high-octane war at ONE 157 in May 2022. If their first meeting is anything to go by, the world is in for another striking clinic between the pair when they add another chapter to their rivalry inside the State Farm Arena.
ONE Championship announced the fight on their official website earlier today.
Rodtang dominated the hard-hitting Brit during their ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix contest, utilizing every inch of his world-class arsenal to keep his dance partner at bay on his way to a deserving unanimous decision inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Although he was forced to play second fiddle to Rodtang's onslaught for large portions of the tie, Smith's courage and determination that evening captured the hearts of many.
Seven months later, the British Muay Thai champion brought that same trait to his sophomore outing against Brazil's Walter Goncalves at ONE Fight Night 17.
This time around, the 31-year-old Englishman wasted no time, making quick work of Goncalves via a vicious knee to the body in the dying seconds of the opening round.
Unfortunately, the Bad Company and Team Thaifist affiliate succumbed to a unanimous decision loss to Denis Puric in their back-and-forth Muay Thai duel this past April.
Now, he has left no stone unturned in his bid to get himself back on track on the global stage of martial arts. But looking to spoil his dream at ONE 169: Atlanta is none other than one of the biggest striking icons in the world today.
Rodtang's legendary resume speaks for itself. The Jitmuangnon Gym athlete owns a 272-43 slate, which includes sensational victories over some of the sport's battle-tested veterans and fiery up-and-comers.
Be it two-sport ONE world champion Jonathan Haggerty, Petchdam, Tagir Khalilov, or former ONE world champion Joseph Lasiri, Rodtang impresses whenever he steps inside the ONE Circle.
Under the promotional banner alone, the 27-year-old has amassed a 15-2 resume, his only defeats coming against fellow ONE kingpins Superlek Kiatmoo9 (in Muay Thai) and Demetrious Johnson (in a mixed-rules super fight).
As such, fans can expect another dynamite performance from the flyweight Muay Thai king when he puts his gold on the line against the ever-resilient Brit at ONE 169: Atlanta.
Confirmed lineup for ONE 169: Atlanta so far:
Anatoly Malykhin (c) vs Oumar Kane (ONE heavyweight MMA world title)
Rodtang Jitmuangnon (c) vs Jacob Smith (ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title)
Christian Lee (c) vs Alibeg Rasulov (ONE lightweight MMA world title)
Tawanchai PK Saenchai (c) vs Jo Nattawut (ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title)
Follow this link to purchase tickets for ONE 169: Atlanta, the promotion's third on-ground spectacle in North America. The card broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Nov. 8.