“I’m here for you b***h” - Denis Puric calls out Rodtang after close fight with Tagir Khalilov

Flyweight Muay Thai kickboxer ‘The Bosnian Menace’ Denis Puric returned to the Circle in a tough fight against Tagir Khalilov at ONE 162: Zhang vs. Di Bella last Friday, October 21.

After failing in his ONE Championship debut earlier this year in a decision loss to Sherzod Kabutov, Puric turned in a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Khalilov to get into the win column.

When the judges’ scorecards were read and his hand was raised in triumph, an elated Puric took the mic from ONE Championship announcer Mitch Chilson. ‘The Bosnian Menace’ didn’t waste his opportunity in the limelight, and immediately called out the reigning flyweight Muay Thai king:

"Rodtang [Jitmuangnon], I’m here for you. That’s the only reason why I signed this contract in this organization - the best organization on the f***ing planet. Let’s go, baby! I’m here for you, b***h!"

Rodtang is, of course, the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion and one of the most explosive and exciting fighters on the ONE Championship roster. A showdown between Rodtang and Puric could potentially be an all-out war.

Puric, on the other hand, showcased tremendous improvement in his overall game which was on full display against Khalilov. This, with his opponent missing weight and the fight, which was originally at flyweight, being negotiated for a catchweight of 137.5 pounds. Despite his size disadvantage, Puric pulled out the gutsy win in a fan-friendly contest.

Puric continued in his interview:

“Tagir was tough. He fought one of the best in the game - Rodtang. But yeah man, I finally got my ring rust off. Let's get back here really soon man!”

Whether or not Denis Puric lands the Rodtang fight based on that performance alone remains to be seen. He may need another big victory before he can get ‘The Iron Man’ in the Circle with him. Needless to say, Puric is a fighter fans should definitely watch out for.

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Denis Puric has to wait in line for Rodtang Jitmuangnon

After taking a unanimous decision victory over one of Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s toughest opponents in the Circle, Denis Puric wasted no time in calling out ‘The Iron Man’ for his next fight. However, he may have to wait in line with other tough fighters also looking for a shot at the flyweight Muay Thai king.

Rodtang himself will be in action next month as he defends the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title against strawweight Muay Thai world titleholder Joseph Lasiri at ONE on Prime Video 4 at US primetime on November 18.

Meanwhile, the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix Championship final between Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Panpayak Jitmuangnon must soon be decided as well. The winner of the prestigious tournament will earn the right to challenge Rodtang next.

Of course, there's also former divisional king Jonathan Haggerty, Brazil’s Walter Goncalves, and Japan’s Taiki Naito occupying the No.3, No.4, and No.5 spots in the rankings. Each one of them could easily tell Denis Puric to take a number before challenging Rodtang.