ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon had the chance to really feel like his soccer heroes in his first on-ground match in the US earlier this yr.
‘The Iron Man’ handled American martial arts followers to a spectacular efficiency again in Might at ONE Battle Night time 10 on Prime Video when he knocked out Mexican challenger Edgar Tabares within the second spherical of their title showdown.
The spectacular victory earned Rodtang an enormous $100,000 efficiency bonus whereas followers who trekked to Colorado to observe the ONE Championship occasion extensively celebrated the win.
In an interview with French kickboxer Antoine Pinto on YouTube, the 26-year-old Jitmuangnon Gymnasium standout recalled with fondness the expertise, even likening it to what his soccer heroes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could be experiencing every time.
Rodtang mentioned:
“I gained that day, I didn’t consider something. There have been many steps of happiness. The primary happiness was an enormous applause and folks screaming my identify, you already know, you all the time hear folks say ‘Ronaldo! Messi!’ however I didn’t count on to get that very same type of chant. They only stored yelling my identify, so I admire it. The second happiness was the US$100,000 efficiency bonus. So comfortable.”
Try the interview beneath:
Rodtang returns to motion on September 22 at ONE Friday Fights 34 on the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
He’ll tackle fellow Thai famous person and reigning ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in a catchweight (140 lbs) Muay Thai conflict.
The struggle was initially set as a title showdown for Rodtang’s Muay Thai gold till Superlek got here in 5 kilos heavier within the weigh-in, rendering the competition a non-title bout.
In accepting the catchweight struggle, Rodtang mentioned he nonetheless wished to face off towards one of many high fighters in his division and present that he’s nonetheless one of the best in what he does.
ONE Friday Fights 34 is out there on the ONE Tremendous App, the official ONE Championship YouTube channel, and different digital platforms.