“Fans in America Love Rodtang”- ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong Opts Between Japan and USA for “The Iron Man’s” Next Fight

Following an exciting ONE 167 event in Bangkok earlier this month, ONE Championship and its Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong are now laying the foundations of their return to the United States later this year at ONE 168: Denver slated for U.S. primetime on Friday, September 6th. This will be the second time ONE will be holding an event in the United States, the first being the sold-out ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes 3 back in May 2023 at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado.

The buzz from ONE 167 hasn’t faded yet, and fans are already chomping at the bit to see their favorite fighters back in action. This fervor was evident at the post-fight presser, where a journalist pressed ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong about the potential return of reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a future blockbuster event for the promotion.

Chatri Sityodtong uncertain about Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s next fight location

Buoyed by the positive reception of ONE Fight Night 10 in the US in May last year, ONE Championship and its charismatic CEO Chatri Sityodtong are doubling down on American fight fans. This is a bold move considering the UFC’s strong foothold in the US market. But ONE seems determined to showcase the beauty of martial arts to an even wider audience, including the United States. Following the post-fight festivities of ONE 167, a reporter, eager to capitalize on the night’s momentum, pressed Chatri about the potential return of fan-favorite Rodtang Jitmuangnon on an upcoming US card. Rodtang, after all, put on a show at the previous Denver event.

Wasting no time, CEO Sityodtong acknowledged that he needed to discuss this with Rodtang Jitmuangnon first. However, he also expressed his desire to potentially place Rodtang on a Japanese card due to his immense popularity there. “There are a lot of moving parts, “he said, “but yes, if Rodtang isn’t fighting in Japan, then we’ll likely put him on the American card. Fans in America love Rodtang too.”

However, Chatri Sityodtong might have a point about Rodtang’s appeal in Japan. Remember, “The Iron Man” was originally supposed to throw down with Takeru at ONE 165 back in January, but injuries forced him to pull out. Superlek Kiatmoo9 filled in and took home the win. Rumors then swirled in February about a potential Rodtang fight in Tokyo, but it’s unclear if Takeru will be part of ONE Championship’s next Japan event. Unlike American fans who just saw Rodtang light up Denver at ONE 168, Japanese audiences are still waiting to see him fight live.

Sityodtong recalls the ovation Rodtang received in America

A little over a year out, ONE Fight Night 10 is still a hot topic for CEO Chatri Sityodtong. It seems that event in May last year fired him up to crack the US market ONE came out swinging for the fences, bringing in some of their biggest names like ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex and Muay Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon, along with MMA legend and reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World champion Demetrius Johnson.

In his interview with the South China Morning Post, ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong recounted a remarkable moment when American fans gave a standing ovation to Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Stamp Fairtex. He described the experience, saying, ” I actually had goosebumps, you know? Because Rodtang and Stamp, they don’t speak English.” Sityodtong elaborated, ” Stamp can speak English now, but she’s a little shy. Last year, by far, the loudest standing ovation was for Rodtang, with Stamp coming in second. I was defining!”

Moreover, the CEO was buzzing after the event. He pointed out that both Stamp Fairtex and Rodtang Jitmuangnon can’t speak English, yet the crowd roared their names. It seems like pure fighting skills and world-champ status can transcend language barriers, right? Speaking of Rodtang, the big question on everyone’s mind is: will he be fighting at ONE 168: Denver? Stay tuned for more!