Rodtang Praises Petchmorakot, Prajanchai Ahead Of Their World Title Defenses At ONE 157
ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon is completely focused on beating “dangerous” opponent Jacob Smith in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot.
But once that contest ends, the Thai megastar will be watching and rooting for two of his countrymen who are headlining the same card on Friday, 20 May.
One of those compatriots is reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee, who’s putting his belt on the line against Jimmy Vienot in the main event.
And in the co-main event, ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PK.Saenchai will defend his gold against top contender Joseph Lasiri.
Rodtang is excited to witness both matchups, especially Petchmorakot’s highly anticipated showdown with five-time Muay Thai World Champion Vienot.
He told ONE Championship:
“Petchmorakot is considered very famous in the country. He is one of the top fighters in Thailand and has held quite a number of belts. He’s beaten many fighters.”
Indeed, Petchmorakot boasts one of the most impressive striking resumes in Thailand. He owns a professional record of 164-35-2, became a two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, and claimed a WMC Muay Thai World Title.
The Petchyindee Academy product has also continued that strong form since joining ONE Championship, capturing the inaugural ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title in 2020 and winning four straight fights in the promotion.
Those efforts have impressed Rodtang, who thinks the 28-year-old is only getting better and keeps adding weapons to his arsenal.
“The Iron Man” added:
“The most dangerous weapons of Petchmorakot would be his left punch and left shin, and his elbows that he has used to knock out his opponents. He’s good at many things. Lately, he’s competed in Western-style boxing bouts, so he might have upgraded his punches.
“His elbows are also sharp and dangerous. His elbows can cut his opponents or knock them out. They can’t overlook him. But Petchmorakot could be slow sometimes. It depends on his opponents how well they’re prepared and try not to get caught by his elbows.”
Rodtang Picks Prajanchai PK.Saenchai to Beat Joseph Lasiri
While Rodtang Jitmuangnon expects big things from Petchmorakot Petchyindee at ONE 157, he also believes that Prajanchai PK.Saenchai will deliver an impressive performance in the co-main event.
In fact, “The Iron Man” predicts that the reigning strawweight Muay Thai king will overwhelm #1-ranked contender Joseph Lasiri and successfully defend his World Title for the first time.
Rodtang told ONE Championship:
“I think Prajanchai will win with his speed and because it’s under Muay Thai rules. Prajanchai is very smart. He’s smarter than his opponent.”
For his part, Prajanchai sports an incredible 338-51-3 career slate and captured the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title with a dominant victory over legendary striker Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at ONE: BATTLEGROUND last year.
The 27-year-old has become one of the biggest names in the sport, although Lasiri always brings the heat and has vowed to break the reigning king.
Meanwhile, Rodtang hopes to win his own battle against British upstart Jacob Smith.
The two will compete in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals on the main card of ONE 157.
Whoever gets their hand raised will advance to the semifinals – and get one step closer to the tournament’s prestigious silver belt.
