WATCH: Thai superstar Rodtang gets loose in the gym, practices his Wai Kru ahead of in-ring return at ONE 167
Reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon is staying loose and gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the Circle.
On Friday, June 7, 'The Iron Man' makes his first appearance of 2024, squaring off with Denis Puric in a bantamweight kickboxing bout at ONE 167 inside Bangkok's iconic Impact Arena.
With fight night just a few short weeks away, Rodtang is preparing his mind and his body in the gym.
Check out the video featuring Rodtang Jitmuangnon below:
Rodtang's scrap with 'The Bosnian Menace' will be his first appearance of 2024. Originally, 'The Iron Man' was scheduled to square off with Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa at ONE 165 in Tokyo, but a hand injury forced him to bow out of the bout, paving the way for 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek to step in and score one of the biggest wins of his career.
The bout will also be Rodtang's third appearance for the promotion in eight-ounce gloves, previously scoring wins against Tagir Khalilov and Jiduo Yibu in the world of kickboxing.
Denis Puric is ready to put on a fight for the ages against Rodtang at ONE 167
As for Denis Puric, he is coming off a big win over Jacob Smith at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. The victory moved 'The Bosnian Menace' into the No. 2 spot in the flyweight Muay Thai rankings. Before that, he scored a highlight-reel knockout of Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat in the second round at ONE Fight Night 17.
Known as a no-nonsense fighter who marches forward and puts his opponents under pressure, Puric is convinced that he presents the best possible matchup, from a fan perspective, for a high-octane fighter like Rodtang. Speaking with ONE, he said:
"I know he's a warrior, he'll fight anybody, so give him a real fight. And what better fight to put on than me and Rodtang? We both have the same style, both coming forward, hungry, and hit hard - that's the fight for the fans!"
Who comes out on top when two of the promotion's most dangerous strikers square off in a kickboxing clash on June 7?
ONE Championship fans in the United States can watch ONE 167 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime.