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Nicolas Atkin

All martial arts content – including ONE Championship coverage – has been made freely available. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon is the man of the moment right now in ONE Championship.
ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai champion is set to receive a 10 million baht (US$300,000) fight purse going forward, CEO Chatri Sityodtong confirmed to the Post last week.
The 25-year-old also picked up a US$100,000 double performance bonus for knocking out Edgar Tabares at the promotion’s on-ground US debut – ONE Fight Night 10 – last month in Denver.
He has already splashed some of that cash on making a childhood dream come true – owning a Ford Mustang.
“Oh, it’s fast. I like John Wick,” he said with a grin, referencing the Keanu Reeves film franchise which heavily features the car.


Rodtang posted a video on his social media of himself and his wife and fellow fighter Aida Looksaikongdin signing the papers at the car showroom last week.
“Originally she [Aida] preferred Audi but now she likes the Mustang as well,” Rodtang said. “I haven’t got any other car in my mind because this is already my dream car.”
ONE: Victoria Lee’s father has ‘completely retired’ as coach, Chatri says
Despite not featuring on the card, Rodtang was the centre of attention at ONE Fight Night 11 in Bangkok last weekend, where hundreds of fans lined up to meet him before the show at Lumpinee Stadium.
“Yes I am glad there were so many people waking up so early to come and see me. This is not my usual wake up time. I wake up almost at noon time,” he said, laughing. Being here and seeing all the fans, both Thais and foreigners, has been great.”
“For me to get that 10 million [baht], it has been unbelievable,” he added. “I’m a poor kid growing up and I’m still confused. How did I get here?

“But getting that contract will make me give my all in every fight. I want to keep my championship belt at flyweight and I want to be a legend in ONE Championship.”
The sums, which Chatri claimed were the most paid out to a Muay Thai fighter in the world “by a huge margin”, may put extra pressure on Rodtang’s shoulders, but the feeling will be nothing new.
“I’m always under constant pressure and I’m the kind of guy who is always cynical about myself before going out to the ring,” he said.
“But I always give my best. As you can see by my performances, I get a knockout or a win every time, but I just keep doing my best no matter what.”

Chatri hinted that Rodtang could make his return soon, but “The Iron Man” was less certain.
“I’m not sure yet, I’m not fully awake,” he said. “But we will see about the performance of this show today. Maybe Chatri will send me a message and we will have a talk but I’m not sure.”
When it comes to opponents, it is well documented he is looking for a trilogy fight with Jonathan Haggerty, this time at bantamweight against the new champion.
But Rodtang is not being picky. “Everything. I can fight anybody,” he said.
There is another big fight looming on the horizon, however, after Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa signed with ONE Championship.

Chatri has indicated he intends to book the try and book the fight at a stadium in Japan, as ONE looks to regain some lost ground in the market with the pandemic halting their momentum following two blockbuster shows in 2019.
Rodtang’s training partner Superbon Singha Mawynn – ONE’s former featherweight kickboxing champ – challenged Takeru to “show us how good you are outside Japan”.
But heading over to enemy territory is all well and good with Thai superstar Rodtang.
“[Fighting Takeru] in Japan is better. There’s a lot of pressure for me in Thailand,” he said.
More money, too, one would presume, should ONE book it at the Tokyo Dome, where Takeru fought Tenshin Nasukawa in a 50,000-seat sell-out last summer.


ONE Championship: Shadow already thinking beyond headlining ONE Fight Night 33

ONE Championship: Naito demands Takeru bout – ‘I’m underrated, he’s overrated’

ONE Fight Night 34: George Jarvis relishes shot at Regian Eersel’s Muay Thai world title

ONE Championship: Malaysian prospect hopes to become country’s first champion

ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Rodtang on splashing cash for his dream Mustang car – ‘I like John Wick’

Rodtang Jitmuangnon and his wife Aida Looksaikongdin pose in front of their new Mustang at a car dealership in Bangkok. Photo: Facebook/Rodtang Jitmuangnon

Rodtang poses with a fan at a meet and greet at Lumpinee Stadium during ONE Fight Night 11 in Bangkok, Thailand.

ONE Championship: Kade Ruotolo trains striking with Superbon, working with UFC’s Cub Swanson for MMA switch

Kade Ruotolo celebrates after beating Tommy Langaker to retain his lightweight submission grappling title. Photos: ONE Championship

Kade Ruotolo grapples with Tommy Langaker at ONE Fight Night 11.

Tye Ruotolo watches on from his brother Kade’s corner against Tommy Langaker at ONE Fight Night 11.

ONE Championship: Victoria Lee’s father has ‘completely retired’ as a coach, Christian Lee ‘hasn’t trained’ since sister’s death, says Chatri

Victoria Lee’s father and coach Ken Lee congratulates her after her win over Victoria Souza. Photo: ONE Chasmpionship

Ken Lee speaks to Victoria Lee before her fight at ONE: Fists of Fury.

Angela Lee and her brother Christian Lee at ONE: Century in Tokyo, Japan in October 2019.

ONE Championship: Chatri has ‘already decided’ Superbon will get title shot after stunning head kick KO

Superbon steps back after knocking Tayfun Ozcan out cold at ONE Fight Night 11 in Bangkok. Photos: ONE Championship

Superbon celebrates with his corner as Tayfun Ozcan is helped by medical officials at ONE Fight Night 11 in Bangkok.

ONE Championship: Giorgio Petrosyan wants to retire, still has ‘anxiety’ and ‘nightmares’ about Superbon KO, says Chatri – ‘he can’t sleep’

Superbon throws a roundhouse kick to Giorgio Petrosyan’s head. Photo: ONE Championship

Superbon breaks Giorgio Petrosyan’s jaw and knocks him out to win the ONE featherweight kickboxing title.

Giorgio Petrosyan looks on before his fight against Superbon in September 2021.

Sport

Martial Arts

Muay Thai

‘The Iron Man’ treats himself to a new ride after ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong confirms his upgraded US$300,000 fight purse
‘For me to get that 10 million baht, it has been unbelievable. I’m a poor kid growing up and I’m still confused. How did I get here?’ Rodtang says


‘The Iron Man’ treats himself to a new ride after ONE Championship confirm his ‘10 million baht’ fight purse.


Keanu Reeves

Superbon

ONE Championship: Rodtang on splashing cash for his dream Mustang car – ‘I like John Wick’

‘The Iron Man’ treats himself to a new ride after ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong confirms his upgraded US$300,000 fight purse ‘For me to get that 10 million baht, it has been unbelievable. I’m a poor kid growing up and I’m still confused. How did I get here?’ Rodtang says

‘The Iron Man’ treats himself to a new ride after ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong confirms his upgraded US$300,000 fight purse

‘For me to get that 10 million baht, it has been unbelievable. I’m a poor kid growing up and I’m still confused. How did I get here?’ Rodtang says