‘Entertaining, Aggressive, Fun’ – Rodtang Excited To Show U.S. Fans What Muay Thai Is All About

Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Jiduo Yibu at ONE Fight Night 6

Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s name is always near the top of the list for any matchmaker trying to put together a guaranteed barnburner of a combat sports card.

That’s exactly why “The Iron Man” will defend his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title against Edgar Tabares at ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video – ONE Championship’s historic debut in North America. 

Rodtang will compete in the co-main event slot at 1stBank Center in Colorado on May 5, and he appreciates this massive opportunity to represent his sport on such a momentous occasion for the organization.

The 25-year-old said:

“I’m glad and honored to receive this chance from ONE Championship to fight in the USA. It’s a dream of all the boxers who want to be elevated to the international level.

“I’d like to thank ONE Championship for giving me this opportunity to show the art of Muay Thai to everyone all over the world, and to have everyone in the U.S. love Muay Thai even more, and admire and support Muay Thai more.”

Of course, ONE Fight Night 10 will also put a heavy weight of expectation on “The Iron Man’s” shoulders.

The evening’s main event between Demetrious Johnson and Adriano Moraes will showcase elite MMA to the American fans in attendance, while Rodtang’s battle with Tabares will present his homeland’s cultural treasure of Muay Thai to the audience.

The Bangkok resident recognizes the importance of his battle, but he will fully embrace the moment once he steps inside the Circle.

Rodtang said:

“Of course there is pressure. But I think if I can create this pressure for myself, I can create support for myself, too, so when the day comes I can show my Muay Thai style. I want to fight in my own style and show the uniqueness of Muay Thai to the world – whatever the result might be.

“I don’t think about winning and losing. I just want to do my part and show the fans who I am, making them happy. They can tell their friends they have watched Rodtang and see how entertaining, aggressive, and fun it is.”

Rodtang Ready To Go All Out Against Newcomer Edgar Tabares

Rodtang Jitmuangnon isn’t quite sure what to make of promotional newcomer Edgar Tabares, but he’ll be ready for anything in their ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title showdown at ONE Fight Night 10.

For now, Rodtang can only judge the Mexican rising star from afar. And while he’s impressed with Tabares’ strength, he’ll reserve his final judgment until they come to blows on May 5.

“The Iron Man” said:

“I cannot know [how good he is] from watching the videos. The videos show he has powerful punches. He has aggressively knocked out many opponents, and so on. 

“It’s like how I fought with Jacob Smith, who had the most dangerous weapons [in his previous fights]. But once we fought, what really happened (a dominant win for Rodtang) was absolutely opposite from what they said about him.”

Whether Tabares can slow down Rodtang remains to be seen. After all, the Thai icon is 13-0 in ONE Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts, so it would take a monumental upset to claim his throne.

Still, the reigning king refuses to be overly confident heading into his World Title defense.

“The Iron Man” plans to give everything he has from the opening bell, and if he can be proud of his performance at the final bell, he’ll be content.

Rodtang added:

“I don’t know how great [Tabares] is, but every single fight matters to me. I always do my best. I just want to do each fight my very best, whether I lose or win. 

“I don’t see myself as an unbeatable superstar. Not at all. I just want to put my all into fighting and do my best in showing who I am. That’s all.”

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