Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon will face his most emotionally complicated test when he battles compatriot and living legend Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 28-year-old expressed profound respect for the 38-year-old former bantamweight king. However, he revealed some initial reluctance to compete against someone he considers both a mentor and close friend. The highly anticipated Thai versus Thai clash pits two of ONE Championship’s biggest Muay Thai superstars against each other, with Rodtang bringing 274 career victories and against Nong-O’s 267 career victories.
Rodtang Credits Nong-O as Ultimate Role Model
Rodtang, the former flyweight ruler who recently reflected on fatherhood, expressed unwavering admiration for the former bantamweight king, describing him as the ultimate example of professional excellence both inside and outside the ring. “The Iron Man” emphasized that Nong-O’s approach to training, body maintenance, and lifestyle represents the gold standard for all fighters.
“For Nong-O, since I got a contract with ONE Championship, he has always been the role model for both [fighting] and living life. The way he takes care of his body, he is the best. He should be the role model of the role models that everyone should try to follow in his footsteps. He will always get my respect,” Rodtang said.
The deep respect between both Thai superstars stems from years of shared experiences within ONE Championship, where Nong-O established himself as the promotion’s most dominant bantamweight Muay Thai titleholder. Since moving down to flyweight, he has his heart set on two-division glory.
Former Champion Rodtang Never Wanted This Fight
Rodtang revealed his long-standing desire to avoid this matchup entirely, explaining how his friendship with Nong-O developed from their first meeting in Singapore and continued throughout numerous promotional events. The emotional connection makes this vacant title fight particularly difficult for the younger fighter.
“I [didn’t] want to fight him from the start. When I fought in Singapore, we met [for the first time], and we had a meal together. We were together in every fight while I was in Singapore. Every time we meet, we always respect one another. I have said that I never want to fight with Nong-O,” Rodtang said.
The genuine friendship between the two Thai warriors adds layers of complexity to what would otherwise be a straightforward championship contest. Their mutual respect and camaraderie represent the best aspects of martial arts culture, even as professional obligations force them into competition.
Rodtang Shares Mixed Emotions About Potential Victory
Image Courtesy of ONE Championship.
Perhaps most revealing was Rodtang’s candid admission about his conflicted feelings regarding the fight’s outcome. “The Iron Man” acknowledged that even victory might not bring the typical joy associated with capturing championship gold, given the circumstances of defeating someone he deeply respects.
“I might be happy or maybe not. I don’t know about this one. There’s something deep inside. I just perform my best in each fight and make everyone proud of me. When I fight, I don’t fight for myself but for the fans, for those who love me,” Rodtang said.
Bring transparent about that internal conflict demonstrates Rodtang’s maturity and genuine care for his opponent, while his commitment to performing for fans shows his understanding of professional responsibilities. The vacant title became available only after Rodtang was stripped of the belt due to missing weight in November 2024, creating this opportunity for both fighters to claim flyweight supremacy.
ONE 173 takes place on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.