Rodtang Protects Flyweight Muay Thai Throne With Second-Round KO Of Edgar Tabares
ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon methodically dismantled WBC Muay Thai International Champion Edgar Tabares to continue his reign as divisional king at ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video.
“The Iron Man” stopped the Mexican striker with a left elbow in the second round of their co-main event battle at the sold-out 1stBank Center in Colorado on Friday, May 5.
The finish was so good that ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong rewarded the Thai megastar with a massive US$100,000 performance bonus.
After easing into the opening frame, Rodtang asserted himself at the end of the round with a combination of punches that caught Tabares’ attention.
The challenger came to the flyweight firefight prepared, however. Tabares began countering Rodtang’s signature push-kick catches with spinning elbows.
Although the tactic got Rodtang’s attention, the defending king continued to attack aggressively in the second round, backing Tabares up with powerful punch combinations. Tabares went for another spinning elbow midway through the frame, but it proved to be one too many.
Rodtang evaded the strike and placed an elbow on Tabares’ jaw, sending the challenger to the canvas. The 29-year-old couldn’t answer the referee’s count, and the action was waved off at 1:34 of the round.
The victory was Rodtang’s fifth ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title defense and improved his record to an incredible 271-42.
In his post-fight speech with ONE Commentator Mitch Chilson, the Thai superstar called out old foe and newly crowned ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty.
Rodtang declared:
“I want everything, but I want Haggerty [next]. Haggerty, come fight me. Come on bro.”
