Rodtang Meets Nong-O, Shimon Battles Ondash In Opening Round Of 2026 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix
The road to crowning the undisputed best 135-pound striker on the planet officially begins, as two blockbuster quarterfinal matchups have been confirmed for the 2026 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix at The Inner Circle 38.
The historic tournament kicks off live in Asia primetime on Friday, November 13, streaming exclusively for members at live.onefc.com from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Featuring the most stacked eight-man field ever assembled in Muay Thai history, the bracket will see combatants battle for the prestigious silver belt and a direct path to the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship, currently held by Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev.
Setting the stage, former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon meets former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama in a monumental battle of global icons.
Meanwhile, two of the sport’s most electrifying young phenoms take center stage as Japanese standout Shimon Yoshinari squares off with Lebanese dynamo Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash in a high-stakes match that could define both of their soaring careers.
Two Living Legends Settle Unfinished Business
Nearly a year in the making, a titanic collision that has been circled on every combat sports fan’s calendar is finally happening. Two of the greatest champions in the promotion’s history, Rodtang and Nong-O, were originally scheduled to meet at ONE 173 last November – until fate intervened. Rodtang fell ill during fight week and was hospitalized, forcing the rescheduling.
Since then, the #2-ranked contender switched disciplines to face Japanese rival Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa in the legend’s retirement bout at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April. It was a sequel to their first encounter, where “The Iron Man” dispatched Takeru in a breathtaking 80 seconds. This time, Takeru made Rodtang seem mortal, finishing him via fifth-round TKO.
After re-signing with the world’s largest martial arts organization, the Jitmuangnon Gym product now chases his 275th professional win and a decisive step back toward the throne he once ruled with five successful title defenses.
Opposing him is #3-ranked fellow Muay Thai royalty Nong-O, a man who registered seven consecutive title defenses at bantamweight during one of the most dominant reigns in promotional history. Now reinvented as a flyweight, the 39-year-old icon carries 268 career wins and a reputation as one of the most technically gifted practitioners the sport has ever seen.
After suffering a second-round defeat to Imangazaliev for the vacant divisional strap in March, the veteran tactician bounced back emphatically, delivering a vintage striking masterclass to decisively outpoint compatriot Kongthoranee Sor Sommai at The Inner Circle 20 in their trilogy bout and put himself firmly back in the running for 26 pounds of gold.
Now meeting under the brightest lights, Rodtang’s cast-iron durability and relentless forward pressure collide with Nong-O’s surgical timing and devastating right kicks, with the victor claiming a defining place in modern Muay Thai lore.
Shimon And Ramadan Bring Youth And Firepower In Clash Of Prodigies
[FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT EMBED]
While legends renew acquaintances, two of the sport’s fastest-rising stars are ready to announce themselves on the grandest stage.
Shimon Yoshinari, ranked fourth in the division, enters the 2026 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix as perhaps its most intriguing dark horse. The 22-year-old Eiwa Sports Gym representative and former WBC Muay Thai World Champion carries a stunning 27-1 professional record into the tournament, with six of those victories coming without a single blemish under the ONE banner.
His fifth promotional win, a unanimous decision over Malaysian teen sensation Johan “Jojo” Ghazali at ONE SAMURAI 1, secured his US$100,000 contract and permanent global roster spot. His defining statement came just weeks ago at ONE SAMURAI 3, when he delivered a devastating knockout of Thai fan favorite Suablack Tor Pran49 in front of a passionate home crowd. Unbeaten and in the sharpest form of his career, a victory over Ondash would propel Shimon to even greater heights.
Looking to halt that pristine promotional run is #5-ranked Ondash, an explosive 19-year-old knockout artist who owns a 14-4 career record. The Tiger Muay Thai representative earned his own six-figure roster spot following four electrifying victories at strawweight.
Since moving up a weight class following a narrow decision loss to now-reigning ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Aliff Sor Dechapan, “The Scorpion” has looked more dangerous than ever, compiling consecutive victories over Thai brawler Suriyanlek Por Yenying and Ghazali to establish himself as a premier bracket threat.
Stylistically, the clash promises exceptional tactical theater, pitting Shimon’s surgical southpaw precision and body-snatching combinations against Ondash’s blistering hand speed and fearless aggression.
Together, both quarterfinals ensure an unforgettable night of action on November 13. Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about the 2026 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.
