5 Reasons Why Rodtang Is Truly ‘The Iron Man’ Of Muay Thai
Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon has one of the most fitting monikers in combat sports.
The ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion – who next defends his belt against Joseph Lasiri at ONE on Prime Video 4 on November 18 – is revered for his superhuman durability and relentless fighting style.
These traits haven’t just made Rodtang successful. They’ve also endeared him to legions of fans across the globe who now count the 25-year-old Thai superstar as one of their favorite athletes in “the art of eight limbs.”
Ahead of his return to the Circle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, find out why “The Iron Man” is truly deserving of his nickname.
#1 He Overcame Poverty
Rodtang grew up in poverty in the southern Thai province of Phatthalung – an experience that taught him to never give up in life.
Taking on various jobs from a young age to help his family make ends meet, the Jitmuangnon Gym representative saw the power of hard work and how it can pay off, whether it’s by earning food to eat or winning fights.
These lessons forged Rodtang into the man he is today and helped give him an unbreakable spirit.
Even more than that, he now strives to make sure his family is well taken care of, which also powers him through when things get tough inside the Circle.
#2 He Never Stops Moving Forward
Rodtang’s fighting style has only one gear, and that’s forward.
However, he’s not a front-foot fighter who waits for opportunities to strike. Instead, he fires straight into his opponents with volume and overwhelms them.
“The Iron Man” has landed 889 significant strikes in his Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts under the ONE banner to date – the most of any athlete.
While he is known for his punches, the Bangkok resident also has strong kicks, knees, and elbows in his arsenal, meaning there are no easy moments when you stand across from him.
#3 His Fights Are Guaranteed Fireworks
Given his propensity to wade forward, Rodtang’s bouts are never boring. And with a willing foe, they’re some of the most action-packed battles fans will ever see.
When he was making his name on the Thai stadium circuit, “The Iron Man” earned Fight of the Year honors at Rajadamnern Stadium in 2018 and 2019.
Bringing that fire to the Circle, Rodtang’s World Title battle with Jonathan Haggerty was deemed ONE’s best all-striking bout of 2019.
He then added to his list with an incredible clash against “Mini T” Danial Williams in 2021, which also earned him a Fight of the Year award.
#4 He Has An Iron Chin
As his nickname suggests, Rodtang’s chin appears to be made of iron – a necessity given his fearless approach to combat
The Phatthalung native’s unrivaled punch resistance gives him the confidence to charge in and fire his own shots, knowing that he can take one to give one.
He also employs solid defense, but that’s often overlooked when “The Iron Man” taps his chin and lets his rivals throw punches at his face without flinching.
#5 He’s At The Peak Of His Powers
All of the above makes for an exciting fighter, but Rodtang is also an incredibly successful one.
His streak over the past few years has seen him rise to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings in “the art of eight limbs.”
“The Iron Man” is now a four-time ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion with a perfect 11-0 slate in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
He’s also suffered just three defeats in his last 39 fights, which is outstanding considering the level of opposition, both at home in Thailand and on the global stage of ONE Championship.
November 18 | ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee | 8 p.m. ET | How To Watch
- Fans in the U.S. and Canada can watch for free with an Amazon Prime subscription!
