Rodtang says he wants to help the next generation of Muay Thai fighters to “be champions themselves”
Former undisputed ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion 'The Iron Man' Rodtang Jitmuangnon of Thailand may have lost his world champ status on the scales last weekend. But, that hasn't diminished his fighting spirit and goal of motivating his countrymen through his performances.
'The Iron Man' failed to make weight and pass hydration for his flyweight Muay Thai world title defense against the United Kingdom's Jacob Smith at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video, and as a result, was stripped of the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.
Rodtang ended up winning a dominant unanimous decision over Smith in a wild co-main event filled with action and drama, much to the delight of a packed Lumpinee Stadium crowd.
Speaking to veteran ONE Championship broadcast analyst Mitch 'The Dragon' Chilson in the ring after the fight, Rodtang says he wants to continue inspiring the next generation of Muay Thai athletes each time he steps inside the ring.
'The Iron Man' said:
"I want to support the next generation of Muay Thai. Even though I may fight for a few years more and I might retire in the future, I want to support the next generation of Muay Thai fighters to come here and be champions themselves."
ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video went down live from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, Nov. 9. Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
What's next for Rodtang Jitmuangnon after his one-sided annihilation of Jacob Smith at ONE 169 on Prime Video?
'The Iron Man' Rodtang Jitmuangnon got the job done against English rival Jacob Smith at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video last weekend, and will now look forward to some big fights on the horizon.
He's intent on recapturing his lost gold, but Rodtang says he has some business to take care of against Japanese kickboxing star 'The Natural Born Crusher' Takeru Segawa.
Rodtang and Takeru have been on a collision course ever since the Japanese fighter joined the world's largest martial arts organization earlier this year, and now it appears time for the two to finally lock horns.
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Rodtang Jitmuangnon's next fight.