“What comes after that?” - Jacob Smith says fame and glory await if he does the unthinkable and unseats Rodtang
Jacob Smith knows that fame, fortune, and a host of new opportunities will come if he manages to pull off the unthinkable and unseat Rodtang Jitmuangnon from the ONE flyweight Muay Thai throne.
After coming up short against 'The Iron Man' in his promotional debut in 2022, Smith will get another stab at it when he challenges Rodtang for his 26 pounds of flyweight Muay Thai gold when ONE Championship heads back to the iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, November 8.
ONE 169 will see four massive ONE world title tilts, including Smith's long-awaited rematch with the Thai superstar.
Speaking with Cageside Press ahead of fight night, the British standout believes that a whole new world of riches and opportunity will open up to him if he scores what would be one of the biggest upsets in ONE Championship history.
"What comes after that? The prize, the belt, the money, the opportunities. You know, becoming a star in this sport. But all of that could only come to fruition if I beat Rodtang."
Can Jacob Smith follow in Superlek's footsteps and hand Rodtang a loss in the art of eight limbs?
Sitting as the third-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender, Jacob Smith fought his way back to a shot at Rodtang via a highlight-reel knockout of Walter Goncalves followed by going three-rounds with 'The Bosnian Menace' Denis Puric.
Meanwhile, 'The Iron Man' has largely been shelved throughout 2024 with his lone appearance on the year coming against the aforementioned Denis Puric in a kickboxing clash at ONE 167 in June.
Before that, Rodtang suffered his first loss in the art of eight limbs under the ONE banner, suffering a unanimous decision defeat in his Fight of the Year against reigning two-sport titleholder Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Will Rodtang re-establish himself as one of the most dominant forces in all of Muay Thai or will Smith shock the world and become a ONE world champion for the first time in his career?
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 8 in U.S. primetime.