Rodtang Lays Out His Plan To KO Jonathan Haggerty

One Friday, 2 August, the Thai hero will challenge the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES in one of the most anticipated martial arts matches of 2019.

At the Mall Of Asia Arena, in Manila, Philippines, two of the most accomplished and exciting warriors in ONE Super Series will go head-to-head in a contest that is scheduled for five rounds.

Rodtang has a perfect 4-0 record in ONE Championship, and has not failed to deliver epic action each time he has stepped into the Circle. Now faced with his first main event assignment, he is ready to rise to the occasion again.

“I’m happy, but I feel the pressure, too. Competing in the main event, there is a lot is expected of me,” the 21-year-old says.

“It is my job to bring integrity and excitement to the promotion. I need to show my true potential, and honor to Muay Thai.”

His opponent comes into this match on the heels of the biggest win in his career.

At ONE: FOR HONOR, Haggerty went toe-to-toe with Muay Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao and delivered the performance of a lifetime to score a pair of knockdowns and take the belt.

Rodtang recognizes the skills Haggerty brings to the table, but as a veteran of 307 matches – 291 more than his upcoming opponent – he is not fazed by the challenge in front of him. In fact, he feels like he can take the Londoner out inside the distance.

“I don’t think he can really take a shot,” he explains.

“He shows when he is hurt, and doesn’t like body shots. You could see that in round four when he fought Sam-A.

“I know how to beat him, but I can’t be careless. I’ll need to stand my ground and pick my shots. I need to follow my game plan. I will be more calculated – fighting to win.”

Even though his confidence is unwavering, he respects Haggerty and will not underestimate him.

He recognizes that he has the power to change the course of a bout in an instant – especially with 4-ounce mixed martial arts gloves like he did against Sam-A – and his size means the “Iron Man” cannot afford to hesitate.

“He’s definitely a lot bigger than me. He’s got a long, and lean frame. I’m a lot shorter than him,” Rodtang adds.

“He’s a well-rounded fighter with a full Muay Thai arsenal. He knows how to use it all too – elbows, left kick, everything.

“I’ve got to be first. Anything can happen wearing small gloves. It is about who is going to make the first mistake.”

With so much on the line, Rodtang isn’t about to let the opportunity of a lifetime slip through his fingers.

The two-time Omnoi Stadium Muay Thai World Champion lives at Jitmuangnon Gym, just north of Bangkok, and he has increased the intensity of his already-strenuous training regime.

“It is a World Title fight. I need to train even harder than I usually do – every day, twice a day, and increase the intensity,” he says.

“I’m already accomplished as a fighter. My technique is there, but my conditioning will have to be the best it has ever been. Whoever gets tired first – that could be the game-changer.”

As one member of a poor farming family of 12, Rodtang admits that he has beaten the odds to even reach a platform like the global stage for martial arts – let alone compete for its World Title.

“The art of eight limbs” gave him a way to help lift his loved ones out of poverty in rural Thailand, but a belt around his waist would mean almost as much to them.

With that thought in his mind, the Pattalung native plans to draw on the indomitable spirit he developed throughout his difficult youth to dig deep and pull off the biggest win of his career.

“When I was young, a lot of people thought I wouldn’t amount to anything. I was just a kid with nothing, kicking my way through the dirt,” he says.

“We came from absolutely nothing and people looked down on us all the time. Reaching this level is a big deal for my family.

“Fighting for a World Title with ONE is something every fighter dreams of. This is a world-class organization, with people watching from all over the world.

“Winning would bring great honor to my family. I know that it will make my parents very proud. It is the most important thing in the world to me right now.”