Rodtang Jitmuangnon open to a potential catchweight Muay Thai war with heavy-hitter John Lineker: “It would be fair”
ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon said he is willing to answer the callout of bantamweight fighter John Lineker but highlighted that it has to be in his division or at least in a neutral weight class for the both of them.
'The Iron Man' shared this in an interview with ONE Championship, after witnessing 'Hands on Stone' chalk up his second straight Muay Thai victory at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Oct. 4 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rodtang said:
"He can call everyone out. I'm ready to fight everyone, but in the same or close to my division. It would be fair if he comes down to me, maybe a 140-pound catchweight, or 135 pounds."
Following his knockout victory over Russian Alexey Balyko at ONE Fight Night 25, veteran MMA fighter Lineker called out Rodtang in a Muay Thai scrap. But like the Thai superstar, he wants it either in his traditional lane of bantamweight or on neutral ground.
The win was the second for the former MMA bantamweight world champion in the "art of eight limbs" after his KO win in his debut last month over American Asa Ten Pow in the United States.
Meanwhile, Rodtang was last in action in June, winning over Bosnian-Canadian striker Denis Puric by unanimous decision in a catchweight (141.25 pounds) kickboxing joust.
North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription who want to relive all the action at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II can do so on demand.
Rodtang looking forward to facing Japanese legend Takeru Segawa
While he is open to taking on John Lineker, Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon is also eyeing a marquee showdown against Japanese legend Takeru Segawa in the very near future.
He made this known ahead of ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut on Sept. 27, where Takeru saw action, telling Sportskeeda MMA in an interview:
"I believe that a fighter like Takeru is ready for anyone. He just needs to keep in mind that I'm here waiting, ready to go anytime."
At ONE Friday Fights 81, Takeru chalked up a bounce-back victory after losing in his promotional debut back in January. He defeated young Burmese fighter Thant Zin by knockout in the second round.
Following the win, 'The Iron Man' went inside the ring and had a faceoff with Takeru, with the latter calling him out for showdown.