“The Iron Man” Rodtang Jitmuangnon is facing the most difficult assignment of his career at ONE Friday Fights 34 this week.
On September 22, the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion will put his belt on the line against #1-ranked contender “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 in Asia primetime in Bangkok, Thailand.
The long-anticipated battle between two of the sport’s modern-day icons will enthrall the fans at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, as well as the legions of supporters tuning in from around the globe.
That’s because many of those fans and pundits are torn about the outcome – a fact that’s not lost on Rodtang, who greatly respects his opponent and knows he’s in for a serious challenge.
He said of the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion:
“Superlek is the toughest opponent for me since I joined ONE. He’s really good, maybe better than me. He was a superstar in Thailand even before I started fighting.”
However, “The Iron Man” has never been one to back down from a threat.
Undefeated in 14 all-striking bouts in ONE – including six World Title showdowns – he’s taken on all comers during his reign at the top, and nobody has been able to usurp him.
Moreover, his relentless aggression has seen him become one of the most popular fighters on the planet, and he doesn’t plan on changing that mindset against Superlek.
The Jitmuangnon Gym representative said:
“I will give it my all in my usual style and give everything I’ve got until the final bell rings, no matter whether I lose or win.
“I will see this fight as my last fight before I die to motivate me so that I can’t lose. I’ll never let anyone take my belt.”
Rodtang Plans To Find Openings In Superlek’s Skill Set
Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 are both capable of dominating opponents and delivering show-stopping finishes, but they each achieve success in very different ways.
Rodtang is known for his constant forward pressure and granite chin, while Superlek has a reputation for being a slick operator who can control a matchup in any range.
“The Iron Man” even admits that his upcoming foe is likely the superior technician, but he knows a fight relies on plenty of factors beyond just textbook skills.
The 26-year-old offered:
“Superlek is tough, and he has a tight guard. He has a dangerous right kick. His strength is his zoning style. He will read his opponent’s movement and find a gap to counter. In terms of Muay Thai skills, Superlek is better than me for sure. He has solid fundamentals, while I am more of an improviser
“For his weakness, I think he can be knocked down if he gets a clean hit. And he seems to let his guard down a bit when he attacks. He relies too much on counterattacks, and I think he’s a bit slower. I think I can overcome him in speed.”
Still, Superlek has worked hard to make his style more suitable for ONE’s faster-paced battles.
With three straight knockout wins, “The Kicking Machine” has shown he can dominate on the front foot, but he hasn’t faced Rodtang, and the defending flyweight Muay Thai king thinks that could lead to another change in tactics.
What you won’t see is Rodtang changing his own game plan, and he intends to hunt for the finish from the opening bell.
“The Iron Man” added:
“I think Superlek has shown good development. He started to understand what ONE wants. As in his [knockout win over] Nabil Anane, you can see he can fight in an aggressive style, and that he’s not shy to trade.
“But he may not want to trade with me often. If he makes a mistake, I might knock him out. It’s as simple as that. If I can, I will win by KO.”
