Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon views his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship bout at the Singapore-based promotion’s U.S. on-ground debut show as a perfect chance to show the world the true beauty of “the art of eight limbs”.
The Muay Thai megastar hopes to do that when he puts his belt on the line against Edgar Tabares at ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on May 5 at 1stBank Center in Denver, Colorado.
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As he prepares for the historic card, Rodtang isn’t totally sure of what to expect from the promotional newcomer when they meet in their co-main event battle.
He knows Tabares has fire in his fists and the ability to finish foes, but he’s hoping the fight goes the same way his bout with British bruiser Jacob Smith went at ONE 157 last year – namely, another dominant win for the flyweight Muay Thai king.
Rodtang said:
“I cannot know [how good he is] from watching the videos. The videos show he has powerful punches. He has aggressively knocked out many opponents, and so on.”
“It’s like how I fought with Jacob Smith, who had the most dangerous weapons [in his previous fights]. But once we fought, what really happened was absolutely opposite from what they said about him.”
Rodtang Jitmuangnon sees no threat in Edgar Tabares
Tabares is an experienced contender who has taken on some of the biggest names in the business, so Rodtang would be wrong to undermine him.
Many wouldn’t blame him if he was sitting back and going through the motions in preparation for his upcoming bout, given that he’s sporting a blistering 13-0 record in ONE’s striking ranks.
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But as a true champion, the 25-year-old dynamo refuses to do so.
Rodtang added:
“I don’t know how great [Tabares] is, but every single fight matters to me. I always do my best. I just want to do each fight my very best, whether I lose or win.
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“I don’t see myself as an unbeatable superstar. Not at all. I just want to put my all into fighting and do my best in showing who I am. That’s all.”