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Team Lakay’s Lito Adiwang believes Rodtang Jitmuangnon will effectively mop the floor with his opponent, Jiduo Yibu when the two square off at ONE Fight Night 6 on Prime Video.
After a dominant performance against ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Joseph Lasiri at ONE on Prime Video 4, ‘The Iron Man’ will return to the circle, but this time he will be swapping out his 4 oz gloves for 16 oz ones. Rodtang will make just his second appearance in a kickboxing bout under the ONE Championship banner, facing 23-year-old Chinese striker Jiduo Yibu.
Speaking with The MMA Superfan about Rodtang’s return to action, Adiwang was very straightforward on how he sees this fight going:
“I think, with all respect for Rodtang’s opponent, but I see this fight being one-sided with Rodtang demolishing his opponent again.”
Despite 40 career victories in combat sports, Yibu is still relatively unknown to the ONE Championship audience. Yibu competed in one previous bout inside the circle, losing a closely contested split decision to Daniel Puertas last February.
Originally, Rodtang Jitmuangnon was scheduled to face Puertas at the event, but a last-minute change saw Puertas promoted to the co-main event to face Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the vacant ONE flyweight kickboxing world championship.
Will 2023 be the year Rodtang Jitmuangnon gives MMA a try?
Practically clearing out the entire flyweight Muay Thai division over the last few years, Rodtang Jitmuangnon may be looking for his next big test. On January 13, he’ll strap on the 16oz gloves for a kickboxing bout, but could a move to mixed martial arts be in store for ‘The Iron Man’ in 2023?
Rodtang has expressed an interest in making the switch, particularly after his first foray into the sport at ONE Championship’s 10th-year anniversary showcase, ONE X. On that night, Rodtang squared off with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson in a mixed-rules superfight. Unable to put away Johnson in the first round contested under Muay Thai rules, ‘The Iron Man’ found himself taken to the mat and submitted in the second round once MMA rules were instituted.
With their experience inside the Circle with one another and Rodtang Jitmuangnon's immense respect for Johnson, ‘The Iron Man’ would love to train with DJ in preparation for his own transition to MMA. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Rodtang said:
"Training with him sounds great, because he’s a legend and I really look up to him. He’s really well-rounded in his grappling and the ground game, so I’m looking forward to it, if he’s willing to train with me."
Watch the fight below:
