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Rodtang on Muangthai vs. Harrison: ‘Game must be decided by physical strength’
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Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon has been busy over the last few months.
His special rules super-fight with mixed martial arts (MMA) great Demetrious Johnson at ONE X was a first for ONE Championship, and the alternating rules meant that the striking legend had to further sharpen his Muay Thai skills while becoming familiar with the ins and outs of MMA.
Rodtang failed to secure the win at the 10-year anniversary spectacle, but he remains enthusiastic about the format and is keen to give another special-rules contest a shot inside the ONE Circle in the future.
“I would absolutely [do another super-fight], but I’ll let ONE find an appropriate opponent for me. I have no idea who I want to fight with because I am still wet behind the ears to this rule,” he said.
“The Iron Man” has been the king of the flyweight Muay Thai division for several years now, but he also likes to keep an eye on what is happening in the other weight classes of the striking discipline.
One bout in particular that interests him is the bantamweight battle between his Thai compatriot Muangthai PK Saenchai and English athlete Liam Harrison, which goes down at ONE: Eersel vs. Sadikovic, on April 22, at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Muangthai, also known as “Elbow Zombie,'' is an accomplished Muay Thai fighter who is undefeated in the ONE Circle and holds a professional record of 200-41. “Hitman” is less experienced, with 89 wins and 24 losses, but nearly half of his wins have come by knockout. This matchup is dangerous for both athletes, as Harrison’s tricky footwork will go head-to-head with Muangthai’s dangerous elbows.
Read also: Bokang Masunyane’s unblemished MMA journey started in a South African orphanage
Rodtang recognizes the talent that both stars bring to the Circle, and he is excited to see how the main card tussle pans out.
“This match should be fun to watch. Both of them haven’t competed for a long time. Muangthai has taken a long break, but I think he still has a heart and fire to fight. It is possible both ways. Liam can knock him out with his fist, or Muangthai’s elbow will knock Liam out instead,” he said.
“It depends on who makes a mistake first. I think this game must be decided by [the] physical strength of both sides as well. The one who [becomes exhausted] first will lose."
It’s clear that Rodtang will be joining the global fanbase to see how this fascinating battle goes down.
Muangthai takes on Harrison at ONE: Eersel vs. Sadikovic on April 22 at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Watch ONE: Eersel vs. Sadikovic on April 22 at ONE Super App and subscribe to ONE Championship on YouTube!
This article is published in collaboration with ONE Championship
