Rodtang Jitmuangnon puts on yet another clinical display of violence as he booked his place in the semi-finals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix. The ONE flyweight Muay Thai champion dominated Jacob Smith over three rounds, leaving the Englishman bloodied and battered by the end of the bout. The first two minutes […]
Rodtang Jitmuangnon puts on yet another clinical display of violence as he booked his place in the semi-finals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix. The ONE flyweight Muay Thai champion dominated Jacob Smith over three rounds, leaving the Englishman bloodied and battered by the end of the bout.
The first two minutes of the fight were relatively competitive, but Rodtang soon began to employ a series of hellacious elbow strikes, cutting Smith open. The second and third rounds were more of the same, as he continued to use his elbows to lethal effect, mixing in a spearing rear straight and debilitating leg kicks.
Credit to Smith for making it to the final bell, but it was not a hard decision for the judges, as Rodtang’s hand was raised, and he progressed into the semi-finals. He was also granted a 50k bonus for his efforts.
Check out the highlights of Rodtang’s dominant victory over Jacob Smith below:
UFC veteran Dan Hooker has detailed why he believes that the special-rules fight between Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang Jitmuangnon was “silly.” March saw ONE Championship host its 10-year anniversary extravaganza, ONE X, live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The event, which spanned well over nine hours, featured 20 fights that were split across three cards,…
While a host of MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling bouts were on offer, there was one unique contest that drew most of the global attention. In a first-of-its-kind clash, Johnson and Rodtang collided in a mixed-rules four-round fight.
While the first and third rounds were set for Muay Thai rules, Rodtang’s wheelhouse, the second and fourth were to be fought in MMA, significantly benefiting all-time mixed martial arts great “Mighty Mouse.”
The bout certainly delivered, with the first frame seeing the Muay Thai champion chase Johnson down and throw heavy leather. But not only did the former UFC flyweight king survive, but he also landed good shots of his own. When the second round began, Johnson went to work, eventually taking Rodtang’s back and choking him out.
While the contest was undoubtedly entertaining, Hooker has questioned how it could have gone any differently given Rodtang’s grappling inexperience.
Recalling Johnson and Rodtang’s Circle meeting, “The Hangman” described it as a “silly fight” and one that was always going to fall in Johnson’s favor during the first MMA round.
The New Zealander pointed out that jiu-jitsu isn’t something a striker can learn in a short space of time, especially if they’re expected to battle a legend like “Mighty Mouse” on the mat.
“Silly fight. Silly fight. Just silly. What did you think was gonna happen? He (Rodtang) doesn’t know any jiu-jitsu? [LAUGHS]” Hooker said. “This is not The Matrix, you can’t just like, download jiu-jitsu and be good at jiu-jitsu. I can understand (if) he just didn’t even bother. How are you gonna get better than Demetrious Johnson at jiu-jitsu in a couple of months? Absolutely no chance.
“I like seeing things for fun. If we’re just doing it for fun, I want the promoter to come out and just tell me it’s just for fun. Let’s get a sumo wrestler to fight a luchador, for fun. I love a bit of fun,” continued Hooker. “But let’s not sit around and pretend this is serious, like Francis Ngannou fighting Tyson Fury is like, serious, because we actually wanna see what happens… In a car crash way you wanna see what happens, not, ‘I legit wanna see who’s better.’”
Hooker went on to explain that just because he or other combat sports enthusiasts will be willing to pay for bizarre and unique fights, it doesn’t mean that they’re ‘legitimate activities’.
“Let’s just make a cage drop down from the top and then throw a bear in there. I would like to see that. If you get Francis Ngannou, Tyson Fury, and then put a cage, and put a bear in there, I would pay good money for that… But that doesn’t mean it’s a legitimate activity,” suggested Hooker.
ONE Championship recently asked fans which of its fighters they’d like to see face off in a hybrid-rules bout next. With that in mind, it seems Hooker may be witnessing a few more “silly” contests in the coming months and years.
Do you agree with Dan Hooker’s take on special-rules fights?
UFC veteran Dan Hooker has detailed why he believes that the special-rules fight between Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang Jitmuangnon was “silly.” March saw ONE Championship host its 10-year anniversary extravaganza, ONE X, live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The event, which spanned well over nine hours, featured 20 fights that were split across three cards,…
While a host of MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling bouts were on offer, there was one unique contest that drew most of the global attention. In a first-of-its-kind clash, Johnson and Rodtang collided in a mixed-rules four-round fight.
While the first and third rounds were set for Muay Thai rules, Rodtang’s wheelhouse, the second and fourth were to be fought in MMA, significantly benefiting all-time mixed martial arts great “Mighty Mouse.”
The bout certainly delivered, with the first frame seeing the Muay Thai champion chase Johnson down and throw heavy leather. But not only did the former UFC flyweight king survive, but he also landed good shots of his own. When the second round began, Johnson went to work, eventually taking Rodtang’s back and choking him out.
While the contest was undoubtedly entertaining, Hooker has questioned how it could have gone any differently given Rodtang’s grappling inexperience.
Recalling Johnson and Rodtang’s Circle meeting, “The Hangman” described it as a “silly fight” and one that was always going to fall in Johnson’s favor during the first MMA round.
The New Zealander pointed out that jiu-jitsu isn’t something a striker can learn in a short space of time, especially if they’re expected to battle a legend like “Mighty Mouse” on the mat.
“Silly fight. Silly fight. Just silly. What did you think was gonna happen? He (Rodtang) doesn’t know any jiu-jitsu? [LAUGHS]” Hooker said. “This is not The Matrix, you can’t just like, download jiu-jitsu and be good at jiu-jitsu. I can understand (if) he just didn’t even bother. How are you gonna get better than Demetrious Johnson at jiu-jitsu in a couple of months? Absolutely no chance.
“I like seeing things for fun. If we’re just doing it for fun, I want the promoter to come out and just tell me it’s just for fun. Let’s get a sumo wrestler to fight a luchador, for fun. I love a bit of fun,” continued Hooker. “But let’s not sit around and pretend this is serious, like Francis Ngannou fighting Tyson Fury is like, serious, because we actually wanna see what happens… In a car crash way you wanna see what happens, not, ‘I legit wanna see who’s better.’”
Hooker went on to explain that just because he or other combat sports enthusiasts will be willing to pay for bizarre and unique fights, it doesn’t mean that they’re ‘legitimate activities’.
“Let’s just make a cage drop down from the top and then throw a bear in there. I would like to see that. If you get Francis Ngannou, Tyson Fury, and then put a cage, and put a bear in there, I would pay good money for that… But that doesn’t mean it’s a legitimate activity,” suggested Hooker.
ONE Championship recently asked fans which of its fighters they’d like to see face off in a hybrid-rules bout next. With that in mind, it seems Hooker may be witnessing a few more “silly” contests in the coming months and years.
Do you agree with Dan Hooker’s take on special-rules fights?
The celebratory tenth-year anniversary ONE: X event hosted by ONE Championship has been postponed from its slated December 5. landing pad, due to a recent viral outbreak in the promotion’s home country of Singapore. The event, which was scheduled to take place on December 5. and featured a special rules matchup between Flyweight Grand Prix […]
The celebratory tenth-year anniversary ONE: X event hosted by ONE Championship has been postponed from its slated December 5. landing pad, due to a recent viral outbreak in the promotion’s home country of Singapore.
The event, which was scheduled to take place on December 5. and featured a special rules matchup between Flyweight Grand Prix victor and former UFC flyweight titleholder, Demetrious Johnson as well as Muay Thai practitioner, the decorated, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, has now been officially postponed until the early stages of next year, amid a record-high viral outbreak in Singapore.
ONE: X officially postponed until early 2022 following viral outbreak in Singapore.
ONE Championship president, Chatri Sityodtong released an official statement this afternoon on his Facebook page, confirming that the anniversary event had been halted and subsequently postponed as a result of the viral outbreak.
“BREAKING NEWS: Due to the record high outbreak in Singapore, ONE: X will now take place early next year instead of December 5.,” Sityodtong’s statement read. “The Singapore Government continues to do an extraordinary job in managing the situation for the country. I am full of gratitude and appreciation for its incredible leadership and excellence. Please note that our regular shows for November and December are expected to continue as per usual. It is a tricky time for everyone in Singapore, but I am confident that we will all get through these times by working together with compassion, resilience, creativity, and patience. Majulah Singapura!“
“ONE: X is not only a celebration of our tenth year anniversary, but it is also going to be the biggest event in our history. DJ vs. Rodtang, Fernandes vs. Lineker, and Le vs. Tonon are just a few fights on this mega card. I cannot wait to unveil what else we have in store for fans with ONE: X. Stay tuned for more exciting news!“
Along with the highly-anticipated matching of Johnson and Rodtang, the promotion is also expected to field an undisputed bantamweight title fight between two-time division best, Bibiano Fernandes, as well as the surging knockout ace, former UFC bantamweight contender, John Lineker.
In a featherweight title bout, Thanh Le was scheduled to defend his title opposite surging Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player, New Jersey native, Garry Tonon — with that bout including the aforenoted pairings of Fernandes and Lineker, as well as Johnson and Rodtang now all postponed.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon notes that Demetrious Johnson is a “legend” but refuses to put the former UFC flyweight champion on a pedestal ahead of their special hybrid rules fight on December 5 at ONE X. The rounds are scheduled for three minutes. Rounds one and three will be contested under the ONE Muay Thai ruleset and […]
The rounds are scheduled for three minutes. Rounds one and three will be contested under the ONE Muay Thai ruleset and rounds two and four will be contested under the ONE MMA ruleset
During a recent interview with LowKickMMA, Rodtang admitted that his goal is to finish ‘Mighty Mouse’ in the first frame, although he recognizes that might not be possible.
“Yeah of course, but you know depends on the game in that night,” Rodtang said. “If I can’t finish him in the first round, at least I’ll try to make him tired, then the second round he has less power. “
The Muay Thai phenom understands that his MMA skills are lacking so he will look to be more defensive than offensive if they see a second round at ONE X later this year.
“For (the) second round, I know that my MMA skill is very basic and do not continue training on a daily basis, so I probably need to plan more on defense, I probably start the game with striking.”
Rodtang has nothing but respect for his opponent but says he sees weaknesses in the game of Johnson.
“DJ is a legend, however, he has some weaknesses,” Rodtang said.
The 24-year-old is the currently ONE Championship flyweight titleholder in Muay Thai. Last time out, Rodtang put on a dominant display over three rounds to beat Daniel Williams.
‘Mighty Mouse’ will be competing for the first time since suffering the first KO loss of his career. The former UFC flyweight champ was stopped by Adriano Moraes when he challenged for ONE Championship gold at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore back in April.
Who do you think will be victorious on December 5? Rodtang Jitmuangnon or Demetrious Johnson?
Demetrious Johnson is set to make his return to competition in a very intriguing way when he takes on ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon on March 26.
CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced the fight last year on The MMA Hour…
Demetrious Johnson is set to make his return to competition in a very intriguing way when he takes on ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon on March 26.
CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced the fight last year on The MMA Hour after the original ONE X card planned for December 5 2021 was postponed.
The mixed-special-rules fight will have alternating rounds between Muay Thai and MMA. The first and third rounds will be under Muay Thai rules, and the second and fourth rounds will be MMA. This will be a tall test for Johnson, as Jitmuangnon has competed in over 300 professional Muay Thai bouts with a total of 267 wins. The ONE Muay Thai champion is currently on a five-fight winning streak and has held the title since August 2, 2019.
What makes this fight interesting, though, is that Jitmuangnon has never competed in MMA, just as Johnson has never competed in Muay Thai. After losing for the first time in ONE Championship in April to flyweight champion Adriano Moraes, Johnson did express interest in competing in a kickboxing bout, so this unique fight announcement should not come as a total surprise.
Also announced for this card is atomweight champion Angela Lee defending her title against Stamp Fairtex, who has held championships in multiple combat sports. This bout will serve as the main event for the card. Additionally, Adriano Moraes will take on Yuya Wakamatsu in his first flyweight title defense since defeating Demetrious Johnson last year.
Stick with MMA News for further updates on this event, including the broadcast information. Also, be sure to catch our coverage of ONE X on March 26!
Are you excited to see the mixed rules bout between Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang Jitmuangnon on March 26?