FOR the first time since making his ONE Championship debut in 2018, ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon believes that he’s facing someone better than he is.
The fiery Thai sensation puts his belt on the line when he takes on ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE Friday Fights 34 this September 22 inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rodtang has no doubts that this will be the toughest assignment he’s faced in his ONE career.
“He’s really good, maybe better than me. He was a superstar in Thailand even before I started fighting,” he said.
“Superlek is tough, and he has a tight guard. He has a dangerous right shin. And of course, Superlek is the toughest opponent for me since I joined ONE.”
The praises are certainly warranted given Superlek’s reign of terror in ONE Championship, especially after he began mixing his technical prowess with ruthless aggression, resulting in him finishing his last three fights.
Fans have even insinuated that Rodtang was avoiding a fight with Superlek. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. “The Iron Man” stated that if there’s someone who’s truly excited for this fight, it’s him.
“I already know that someday we have to face each other. There’s no one left in the rankings except Superlek and the newcomer, Takeru. And now, Haggerty is in another division,” he said.
“So, I have to fight with Superlek, for sure. It is not just the fans who anticipate this fight. So do I.”
While he’s slated for his toughest fight yet, Rodtang promises everyone that he’ll be coming in highly motivated to keep his throne and prove that he is the best striker in this weight class.
“I will give it my all, in my style, and everything I have got until the last bell rings,” he said.
“No matter if I lose or win. I will see this fight as my last fight before I die to motivate me that I can’t lose in this fight. I’ll never let anyone take my belt.”
