In photos: Rodtang Jitmuangnon's most savage performances in ONE Championship

If one were to look up the word “savagery” in the dictionary, Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s photograph will likely be on it. Well, it won’t, technically, but it’s still a fun proposition.

The reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion can once again showcase his trademark savagery when he defends his belt against ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Joseph Lasiri.

The showdown between the two kings will take place at ONE on Prime Video 4 on November 18 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Rodtang exploded into a superstar in ONE Championship and his ungodly combination of explosive offense and invincible toughness made him a premium box office draw.

While fans enjoyed watching Rodtang wreak havoc inside the Circle, his opponents would absolutely beg to differ.

The Thai superstar fought 12 times under ONE Championship, but five fights truly defined the legacy of ‘The Iron Man’, and here are those matches.

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#5. Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Danial Williams

Rodtang Jitmuangnon lands an elbow on Danial Williams. [Photo ONE Championship]

Rodtang was already a superstar in his native land of Thailand but his match against Danial Williams firmly introduced him to the American audience.

The two strikers figured in a barnburner at ONE on TNT I that saw both Rodtang and Williams go at it with reckless abandon.

Rodtang was equally creative and destructive during his match with Williams, tagging the Aussie with several combinations to claim the unanimous decision win.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon launhes a left kick toward Danial Williams. [Photo ONE Championship]

Showing an unrelenting pace, Rodtang had no problems switching his elevation and easily landed cracking elbows and punishing roundhouse kicks that broke through Williams’ guard.

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#4. Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Jonathan Haggerty I

Rodtang Jitmuangnon charges at Jonathan Haggerty. [Photo ONE Championship]

Rodtang was on a rampage in his first four fights in ONE Championship and that furious start pushed him to a career-defining match when he fought Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.

The Thai superstar challenged Haggerty for the strap at ONE: Dawn of Heroes in August 2019. True to his style, Rodtang was equally menacing and punishing against Haggerty.

Rodtang continued to move forward during the bout and even managed to use his technical defensive acumen to stop Haggerty in his tracks.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon tags Jonathan Haggerty with a left hook. [Photo ONE Championship]

Despite Haggerty’s best efforts, the night belonged to Rodtang whose overall aggressive style earned him the gold after an impressive unanimous decision win.

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#3. Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Jacob Smith

Rodtang Jitmuangnon lands an elbow to the face of Jacob Smith. [Photo ONE Championship]

The fight may not have ended in a knockout but what Rodtang did to Jacob Smith at ONE 157 was ruthlessness in its purest form.

Smith, though, showed tremendous heart and determination during the three-round match but Rodtang operated on a different plane that day when he captured the dominant unanimous decision win.

It might have been one of Rodtang’s easiest fights in his career. Though he’s known as a marauding presence, he also showed tremendous agility in dodging and moving away from Smith’s offense.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon lands a left kick to Jacob Smith's body. [Photo ONE Championship]

Rodtang landed crippling elbows that quickly bloodied up the British striker while he maintained his distance using his boxing and kicks.

Overall, what Rodtang did was a striking masterpiece and Smith was just the unfortunate canvas who absorbed all of it.

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#2. Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Sok Thy

Rodtang Jitmuangnon lands a left hook to Sok Thy's ribs. [Photo ONE Championship]

This match showed just how much class Rodtang possessed in his rise to the top of the division.

Rodtang’s bout against Sok Thy at ONE: Warriors of Light in May 2019 was his last fight before he challenged Haggerty for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title. His second-round knockout win over the Cambodian striker proved to be a preview of just how dominant he would be in his impending world title reign.

‘The Iron Man’ clocked Sok Thy every time he moved forward during the match utilizing all of the possible strikes Muay Thai allowed.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon blasts Sok Thy with a knee. [Photo ONE Championship]

Rodtang was also dangerous in the clinch when he tagged Sok Thy with crippling knees during their exchanges.

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#1. Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Jonathan Haggerty II

Rodtang Jitmuangnon flies in against Jonathan Haggerty. [Photo ONE Championship]

It’s always said that defending the gold is harder than earning it, well Rodtang disproved that notion during his rematch against Jonathan Haggerty at ONE: A New Tomorrow for their world title rematch.

Rodtang, who now holds the ONE flyweight world title, rematched Haggerty in January 2020 in what turned out as a show of force for the Thai phenom.

While their first encounter needed the judges to decide the victor, the rematch was all under Rodtang’s control.

Rodtang was a whole new different fighter when he fought Haggerty for the second time and he displayed a versatility that would eventually become a norm in his future fights in ONE Championship.

Not content with staying on the ground, Rodtang went airborne during the match tagging Haggerty with a swift flying knee.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon plants a left hook to Jonathan Haggerty's torso. [Photo ONE Championship]

Rodtang, though, resorted back to the fundamentals and used his boxing to end Haggerty in the third round.