Returning to the One Fight Night 34 event, Rodtang Jitmuangnon was tried to lose with the consensus before Superlek Kiatmuu9. This defeat broke the 14 consecutive wins of the “Iron” Rodtang, and the story he did not attend the press conference after the match made the audience curious unknown what Rodang will make a decision for the next stage.
At the present time, Rodtang Jitmuangnon still owns the One Flyweight Muay Thai championship belt, because before the Superlek match weighed up to 5kg, turning the RotTang vs. Superlek becomes a 3 -round Muay Thai without a belt. The ranking of both boxers has not changed.
Anyway, this defeat of Rodtang is still controversial in the martial arts fan community. Rodtang not only dominated clearly in the first and third half, he also caused a big cut on the Superlek head. It is just that all three judges think that the Knockdown from Superlek in the second half affects the game more, so the new victory belongs to Superlek Kiatmuu9.
There will be many different options for RotTang after this match. Take Muay Thai rematch with Superlek, “Set” Kickboxing with Takeru Segawa, or switch to MMA will be more beneficial for RotDang Jitmuangnon?
Rodtang vs. Superlek 2 – A more elaborate rematch?
Almost right after the Rodtang vs. Superlek ended, CEO One Chatri Sityodtong proposed a Rodang rematch. Superlek 2, but according to him, “will be very suitable to take place in Qatar.”
“In my opinion, the Knockdown owl (which Superlek caused RotDang in the second half) was not so heavy,” Mr. Chatri said. “Half of the Knockdown is due to the blow, the other half is due to RotDang's legs. Moreover, RotDang does not really receive much injury.”
“Anyway, it all took place in the blink of an eye, the referee decided it was Knockdown … This match was too close. In many people's eyes, this should be a draw.”
The opinion from Chatri Sityodtong is quite similar to the opinion of many viewers after the match. One Championship has the criteria of scoring in the end of the whole match rather than a clear point in the half, so many people tend to be favored about RotDang with the advantage of the two ends of the end, rather than Superlek with the 2nd Knockdown.
Chatri later said he wanted the rematch between RotTtang and Superlek to be agreed early, expecting that will be a belt match that took place in 5 rounds in One 165, the first One One event to take place in Qatar. He also opposed doubts that Superlek deliberately failed the balance, saying that Superlek was over 5kg, he was not familiar with the water -free cutting mode at One.
“I will introduce a nutritionist for Superlek, so that he can have a reasonable weight loss time and make a 5 -round match again in Qatar,” Chatri said.
“Ironically, when Superlek is overwritten, we talked to both sides and wanted to continue the 5 -round match as expected. But the Rodtang side refused. They said, no, they did not want a 5 -round match, because Superlek was too big. The year in the year was a lot, the three matches. I think the Rodtang side has made a mistake.
Indeed, with a controversial match like this, a more elaborate, longer rematch for the result is also quite supported by many viewers, regardless of whether it is the match according to Muay Thai or Kickboxing. If successfully arranged, One 165, the event with the next number of One after 1 year of waiting, it will be worth watching for antagonistic fans.
Confronting “The Natural Born Crusher” Takeru Segawa on Kickbox?
Rodtang Jitmuangnon did not hide his expectation with Takeru Segawa as soon as one signed a contract with “The Natural Born Crusher” Japan in April this year.
“I know Segawa because he used to fight my former opponent, Tenshin Nasukawa,” Rottang said.
“After Tenshin retired Kickboxing, I and I would be able to become a very good match. We can fight both Muay Thai and Kickboxing. Our fighting is similar. I believe this match will be really interesting to the fans.”
Takeru Segawa is the most expensive contract signed by ONE Championship in 2023. Like the nickname “The Natural Born Crusher”, Segawa owns a fire -fighting style with scary kicks of Japanese karate. Segawa holds the Kickboxing K-1 championship in 3 different weight classes, with the current achievement of 41 wins, 3 losses. He was unbeaten at K-1 floor for 7 consecutive years before joining One.
A match between Rodtang and Takeru Segawa is not only quality in terms of expertise, but also seems to be reasonable to let Rodtang “overcome obstacles” a bit before he challenges Superlek's Kickboxing belt. “Iron people” vs. “Bone crusher”, the audience will probably be very curious to see who can be the last winner.
Try MMA
RotTang Jitmuangnon has never officially played MMA, but he had a match combined with MMA – Muay Thai with Demetrious Johnson, lost in the second half with the strangling of “Mighty Mouse” in early 2022. Before the audience's great expectation, RotTang said he also wanted to try MMA, but MMA would be the priority behind the Ringboxing One.
“What I am aiming for now is to win the Kickboxing championship in One, becoming a world champion in the second sport. After that, I will play hard at MMA and challenge anyone who is the champion at the time.
Of course, RotTang does not underestimate the difficulty of changing the picture from Muay Thai to MMA. MMA will not only include attacking attacks, forcing him to “repeat all techniques, from defense to attack”.
“Moving pictures from stroking to grappling is still difficult for me,” RotTang shared. “You need to get acquainted with them, focus hard to grasp the techniques on the floor. It will be time -consuming. I have a striking platform, and will take a few years to develop more Grappling skills.”
If possible, the Rodtang trying with MMA will surely bring an interesting match for curious audiences. Last September, the image of Rodtang practicing BJJ with people who won 3 gold medals in the world DJ Jackson at Fairtex Gym shared on social networks, made fans believe that “iron people” were preparing to move to MMA.