Rodtang Jitmuangnon mentioned he has a fantastic relationship with Nong-O Hama and has excessive regard for the veteran fighter. That’s the reason it took him a while earlier than agreeing they face off in a title conflict.
The Thai superstars battle for the vacant flyweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Nov. 16. It’s one in every of seven world title matches set to go down on the stacked providing taking place on the Ariake Area in Tokyo, Japan.
In an interview with ONE Championship, ‘The Iron Man’ spoke in regards to the relationship he has with Nong-O and the way initially he was reluctant to comply with combat him.
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“I [didn’t] need to combat him from the beginning. After I fought in Singapore, we met [for the first time], and we had a meal collectively. We have been collectively in each combat whereas I used to be in Singapore. Each time we meet, we at all times respect each other. I’ve mentioned that I by no means need to combat with Nong-O.”
The ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title was lengthy within the possession of Rodtang till he was stripped of it. The Thai star missed weight for his protection in opposition to British challenger Jacob Smith in November final 12 months.
The match nonetheless pushed by, with Smith the lone eligible to win. However the Jitmuangnon Gymnasium standout made certain the belt remained vacant by taking the competition convincingly by way of unanimous determination.
At ONE 173, Nong-O, in the meantime, seeks to win one other world title after ruling the bantamweight Muay Thai lane from 2019 to 2023.
For extra info and updates on ONE 173, observe Sportskeeda MMA and ONE Championship.
Jonathan Haggerty has Rodtang beating Nong-O at ONE 173
ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty sees Rodtang defeating Nong-O of their scheduled flyweight Muay Thai world title conflict at ONE 173.
‘The Normal’ made his decide recognized in an interview with the South China Morning Put up, citing how the aura of invincibility of Nong-O has seemingly pale up to now couple of years, making it tougher for him to high Rodtang.
Haggerty mentioned:
“Ah, it is a robust one, that one. Like my dad mentioned, Nong-O is an even bigger model of Rodtang. That’s what he mentioned. He mentioned it again once I didn’t beat him. So now that Nong-O’s been crushed, I simply cannot see him getting previous Rodtang.”
Haggerty took the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title from Nong-O in April 2023, profitable by knockout within the opening spherical. Since then, the Thai legend has gone up and down in his marketing campaign.
The British champion can be featured at ONE 173, difficult bantamweight Muay Thai king Nabil Anane for the belt and turning into a double ONE world champion once more.
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Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim
