‘I Want To Win The Grand Prix First’ – Rodtang Focused On Muay Thai, Reveals Future Plans
Reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon is eager to step back into the Circle, so he’s understandably fired up about the recently announced ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.
The tournament, which begins with the quarterfinal round on 20 May, features eight of the best practitioners from “the art of eight limbs.” That includes the Thai megastar.
Rodtang, who loves a good challenge, is determined to take out anyone he faces in the field, and he would love nothing more than to capture the prestigious World Grand Prix silver belt.
In a recent interview with ONE Championship, “The Iron Man” said:
“First, I will focus on Muay Thai. I want to win the World Grand Prix first.”
In the quarterfinal round, Rodtang will face British phenom Jacob Smith, the man the reigning flyweight king was originally scheduled to face at “ONE on TNT I” in April 2021.
With a perfect 10-0 slate in the organization’s all-striking league, ONE Super Series, the Thai feels particularly confident about his chances in the World Grand Prix.
But after the tournament is all said and done, Rodtang will focus on his other goals.
“I plan to challenge for the ONE [Flyweight] Kickboxing World Title. Whether successful or not, I am willing to drop both and [make a] run in MMA without hesitation.”
Rodtang told onefc.com
Would Rodtang Face Jarred Brooks In A Mixed Rules Fight?
Rodtang Jitmuangnon may be focused on winning more titles in ONE Championship, but he is also willing to test his skills in another hybrid bout.
At ONE X: Grand Finale last month, the striking dynamo competed against 12-time Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious Johnson in the promotion’s first-ever special rules super-fight, which alternated between the Muay Thai and MMA rule sets every other round.
Though Johnson put him to sleep with a rear-naked choke during the second frame (which adhered to MMA rules), Rodtang gained some valuable experience. And that experience could come in handy should he ever participate in this type of match again.
Following the pair’s exciting showdown, several Muay Thai fighters have since named a couple of opponents they would like to challenge under a similar rule set. Likewise, various MMA stars have also expressed interest in a mixed rules contest.
Jarred Brooks, the #2-ranked strawweight contender, is one of those MMA stars. In fact, he challenged “The Iron Man” to a special rules super-fight earlier this year.
Rodtang is willing to accept, but only on a few conditions.
“If they think this matchup is appropriate, I’m fine with it. But I want to make sure that the fight would be fair for both sides.
“It’s up to Chatri Sityodtong and ONE to see if it is suitable. It’s necessary to consider the weight class also because we are in different weight [categories].”
Rodtang told onefc.com
A clash between both athletes could happen at some point in the future.
But first, Rodtang will have to complete his tasks in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.
And as for Brooks, he has a date with top-ranked contender Bokang Masunyane. The two will meet in a ONE Strawweight World Title eliminator at ONE 156: Eersel vs. Sadikovic on Friday, 22 April.
