“That’s the only thing on my mind” - Challenger Jacob Smith says nothing else matters apart from unseating Rodtang
The only thing on Jacob Smith's mind is beating Rodtang.
After coming up short against 'The Iron Man' in his promotional debut in 2022, Smith will get another crack at it on Friday, Nov. 8. On that night, ONE Championship returns to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand for a loaded lineup punctuated by four massive world title tilts.
Smith will once again challenge Rodtang for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship at ONE 169.
Since suffering a brutal lopsided loss against the Thai superstar at ONE 157, Smith has been chomping at the bit to run it back. Now that he has that opportunity, the British striker is only focused on one thing—taking Rodtang's 26 pounds of ONE gold. Speaking to Cageside Press, Smith said:
"So that’s the only thing on my mind at the moment. Focusing on him, focusing on beating him."
Smith enters the bout coming off a highlight-reel knockout against Walter Goncalves followed by a closely contested battle with 'The Bosnian Menace' Denis Puric.
Jacob Smith was not impressed with Rodtang's performance against Denis Puric
Like Jacob Smith, Rodtang's last appearance inside the Circle came against Puric.
And while 'The Iron Man' came out on top in his battle against the Bosnian-Canada standout, Smith was less than impressed with the performance Rodtang delivered in their kickboxing clash at ONE 167. Speaking about Rodtang's showing against Puric, Smith said:
"I thought he was poor, to be honest. I thought Rodtang was poor in that fight. I thought Denis was also poor in that fight. But I'm not expecting that Rodtang to turn up [at ONE 169]."
Rodtang's win over Puric was his first victory since suffering a unanimous decision loss against Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE Friday Fights 34. It is the only loss in the Thai's ONE Championship run thus far, and in November, he'll look to keep it that way.
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, Nov. 8 in U.S. primetime.