ONE Championship: Nong-O Hama, Rodtang Jitmuangnon to ‘leave friendship outside the ring’
Thai legends and close friends meet at ONE 173 in Tokyo for the vacant flyweight Muay Thai world title belt
Nong-O Hama has spent decades at the pinnacle of Muay Thai, but at 38 years old, the Thai legend is chasing one final summit.
And to reclaim gold and prove he can still rule the sport’s highest level, he must defeat not just any opponent, but a friend and one of the most celebrated fighters of his generation.
At ONE 173 in Tokyo next month, Nong-O will face fellow Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.
It is a match-up between two icons whose names define modern Muay Thai: one a polished technician whose experience stretches across eras, the other a fearless showman whose charisma and toughness have made him a global sensation.
Nong-O signed with ONE Championship in 2018 and cemented his legacy by claiming the inaugural bantamweight Muay Thai world title just 10 months later.
During his reign, he defended the belt seven times and knocked out five straight challengers, establishing himself as one of the most dominant champions in the organisation’s history. Now, after moving down in weight, he faces perhaps the most emotionally complex challenge of his career.