“The Iron Man” Rodtang Jitmuangnon will defend his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion title against Jacob Smith on November 8, 2024, at ONE 169 live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The fight will be broadcast during prime time in the US.
Rodtang vs Jacob Smith
These two fighters first met in May 2022 in the quarterfinals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix. In their initial encounter, Rodtang emerged as the dominant winner, but Smith showed his courage by displaying an impressive heart against the Thai superstar.
For Rodtang, this is an opportunity to strengthen his legacy, showcase his skills to international fans, and potentially secure a definite KO against Smith. On the other hand, Smith sees this as his chance to defeat the biggest star in the sport and claim the world champion title. Keep an eye out for betting opportunities in the UK sports betting at Setidaknya here.
The betting odds for the upcoming rematch between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Jacob Smith have not been released or widely publicized yet. This may be due to the recent announcement of the fight, and bookmakers are still evaluating the matchup.
However, based on their previous encounter and recent performances, it is reasonable to predict that Rodtang will be the favorite in this fight. In their first match, Rodtang won by unanimous decision, and it was not a closely contested fight.
Despite showing heart and skill in their first meeting, Jacob Smith was unable to overcome “The Iron Man” with significant attacks. Additionally, in the ONE Championship Muay Thai, Smith has just suffered a defeat in his latest fight. This history, combined with the championship status and impressive record of Rodtang, is likely to influence favorable odds for Rodtang by a significant margin.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon
The 26-year-old Thai megastar “The Iron Man” is known for his aggressive fighting style, incredible endurance, and charismatic personality. He has been dominant in ONE Championship with victories in Muay Thai and Kickboxing. The Thai-born star has successfully defended his flyweight Muay Thai title five times and aims to defend it for the sixth time.
Regarding his opponent, Rodtang stated:
“He’s still the same in terms of his style. Seems like his engine is slow to heat up. He thinks and acts a bit slow.”
Jacob Smith
The 31-year-old English challenger, Jacob Smith, currently ranks #3 in the flyweight Muay Thai division. He is known for his highly aggressive fighting style, honed while winning in the English Muaythai scene before joining ONE Championship. Smith is a versatile fighter, skilled in clinch work and long-range attacks.
In an interview, he explained:
“I come to do as much damage as I can and be as dominant as possible and take that gold away from him.”
Rodtang is confident heading into the fight, hoping to defeat Smith once again. However, Smith enters the rematch with a shoulder issue, determined to prove his critics wrong and show that he deserves a shot at the world champion title.
Given the explosive styles of both fighters and the high stakes involved, fans can expect a action-packed fight filled with strong attacks and relentless aggression.