“The biggest prize in Muay Thai” - Jacob Smith says he’ll hit the jackpot if he pulls off monumental upset vs Rodtang
Jacob Smith could hit the Muay Thai jackpot on Friday, Nov. 8.
After scoring a highlight-reel KO against Walter Goncalves and going toe-to-toe with 'The Bosnian Menace' Denis Puric, Smith has earned himself the opportunity to challenge ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
ONE 169 will see the Brit run it back with 'The Iron Man' on martial arts' biggest stage inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Speaking to Cageside Press on his upcoming clash with Rodtang, Smith said:
"I’m fighting for the biggest prize in Muay Thai at the biggest stadium of Muay Thai. It makes perfect sense to me. I’m actually very happy about it."
Smith made his ONE Championship debut over two years ago at ONE 157. On that night, he met Rodtang in a one-sided affair that saw 'The Iron Man' batter and bloody the Brit en route to a decisive decision victory.
As a result, Smith is a sizeable underdog going into their rematch, but if he can pull off the upset, he'll leave The Land of Smiles with the biggest win of his career and 26 pounds of ONE gold around his waist.
Jacob Smith has a message for the naysayers regarding his ONE 169 title opportunity
Jacob Smith's second ONE world title opportunity came as a surprise to many and has even resulted in some backlash from fight fans who believe there are far more deserving contenders out there.
Though Smith looked very impressive in his sophomore appearance at ONE Fight Night 17 last year, he is coming off a loss against Denis Puric—though the bout was closely contested. Still, everyone assumed the defeat took Smith out of the running for a title shot.
Asked about some of the more negative comments surrounding the fight announcement, Smith told Combat Sports Today:
"F**k you, it's what I’d say. I'm not sure I'm allowed to say that, but I've said it now."
Smith added:
"You know, if the thing is with people online, they can talk and talk and talk. Not one of them has achieved a thing in their life. You just have to kind of blank that out."
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.