ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon tore through the ranks to become one of the most entertaining fighters on the planet today, and he’ll prove that once again when he returns at ONE on Prime Video 1 on August 26.
But like most martial artists, the Thai superstar had to make sacrifices on his way to the top.
One significant change “The Iron Man” had to make to realize his dreams was to move from his quiet surroundings to the big city lights of Bangkok when he was a teenager.
Thailand’s capital city sits some 500 miles north of his hometown of Phatthalung, and though Rodtang has made the bustling metropolis his second home now, he vividly remembers how difficult it was to get his bearings when he first arrived.
“When I moved to Bangkok from the Phatthalung Province, I cried. I was really homesick. I had never seen such a crowd or traffic,” he recalled. “Everything was totally different between Bangkok and in the province. Everything was new to me.
“I had to adjust myself to the place that I lived in. I had to adjust my lifestyle, my attitude – everything. I had to learn how to be a grown man because I didn’t live with my family.”
Thankfully, Rodtang – who returns to the ONE circle in U.S. primetime against Savvas Michael at ONE on Prime Video 1 – didn’t have to do it alone. A close family friend by the name of Phorn took the muay Thai megastar under his wing and helped him settle into the hectic surrounds of Bangkok.
Despite the difficult transition, the Thai was still eager to develop, grow, and thrive in his new environment, and Phorn helped him do that and more.
“He took care of me like he was my second father. I stayed there with him in his house,” Rodtang said. “He taught me how to behave and everything, which made me a better man. He taught me how to grow up and be patient.”
Along with helping him get used to his new home, Phorn also introduced Rodtang to the city’s famous muay Thai stadium circuit, notably the Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadiums.
The family friend also ensured that “The Iron Man” would receive the best training and remain in the right circle of people to help him make a name for himself in Bangkok.
“He was the one who helped me with game plans when I had bouts,” the flyweight muay Thai king noted.
Unfortunately, there was only so much Phorn could do. And when every aspect of Rodtang’s game was in peak condition, he knew that the young fighter needed a new level of coaching and training partners to unlock his true potential.
With that, Phorn linked him up with the late Mr. Huan, who owned the world-renowned Jitmuangnon Gym. There, “The Iron Man” went from a fighter to a star, taking on the biggest local names and international fighters.
Rodtang became the MAX muay Thai champion at 125 pounds in 2016, the 130-pound Omnoi Stadium World Champion in 2017, and Rajadamnern Stadium’s “Fight of the Year” winner in both 2018 and 2019.
During that period, he also made his debut in ONE Championship, where he has 11 straight muay Thai and kickboxing victories in the promotion.
The ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion has certainly come a long way since his difficult start in Bangkok, and now the superstar is looking to become the ONE flyweight muay Thai world grand prix champion next.
To get closer to that goal, the 25-year-old superstar must defeat Michael in the tournament semifinals on August 26.
