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The time for talk is over, as ONE Muay Thai world champions Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Joseph Lasiri will finally figure in a stand-up war of epic proportions.
The Thai superstar’s ONE flyweight throne will be on the line as Lasiri will look to become a two-division world champion in the first of two world title fights at ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs Lee.
This Friday, November 18, the Circle doors will close between the two striking savants inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium. North American fans will surely be in for a treat. The entire card airs live on US primetime and will be available for free for all Amazon Prime Video subscribers.
Rodtang, of course, needs no introduction and has become one of the promotion’s most exciting fighters to watch. ‘The Iron Man’ has been invincible in all 11 of his striking-exclusive matches in the Circle, turning back challenger after challenger.
The Muay Thai flyweight king has also shown a willingness to broaden his horizons and take on new challenges by crossing over to kickboxing and figuring in ONE’s first-ever mixed-rules bout. And of course, Rodtang’s style is just made for television. This man has no quit in him and loves to put on a show every single time.
With that said, it’s unwise to count Lasiri out just yet.
The Italian-Moroccan fighter has been living a real-life Rocky story after his improbable run as of late. It’s easy to side against anyone who lost their first four matches inside the Circle. The man they call ‘The Hurricane’, however, learned from those mistakes and used them to become an absolute killer.
Lasiri won four of his next five bouts and defied the odds to dethrone Prajanchai PK.Saenchai in his last outing.
With that in mind, Sportskeeda MMA ONE Championship has dissected the upcoming barnburner of a matchup. Check out their predictions below.
Vince Richards: Rodtang Jitmuangnon by unanimous decision
This fight will come down to the intangibles. Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Joseph Lasiri are wizards of the striking arts and both fighters are fully capable of conjuring up the harshest of punishments on their feet. Both fighters are aggressive and can dictate the flow of the match almost instantly. Rodtang, however, has one crucial advantage. Flyweight is ‘The Iron Man’s’ wheelhouse and he’s reigned as the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion since August 2019.
Lasiri, meanwhile, struggled mightily at flyweight and it was only until he moved to strawweight that he found success. If Lasiri can shake off his past and march on with a world champion’s attitude, then this will be an absolute striking war. Rodtang Jitmuangnon, though, is a different beast and I bet he’ll launch an attack never seen before in ONE Championship.
Atilano Diaz: Rodtang Jitmuangnon via TKO in the third round
This is going to be a barnburner of a fight, because we know both fighters have no quit in them. No matter how this fight plays out, it's going to be a treat for the fans. Lasiri isn't as crafty as Walter Goncalves or Jonathan Haggerty, two opponents who have given Rodtang trouble in the past. Against a guy who engages like Lasiri, Rodtang will have no problem finding his target.
'The Iron Man' is a mauler while Lasiri is all heart. If this was a kickboxing fight, they would be on even footing. But this is the 'art of eight limbs' and there's only one king. His name is Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Ben Imperial: Joseph Lasiri by split decision
I've watched Rodtang compete in ONE Championship for years now, and I haven't seen a lot of people give him problems. He's durable but also very powerful, and he seems to get better every time he steps in the Circle. Add the fact that he was essentially pulled out of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix, and I think we're gonna get a Rodtang Jitmuangnon that's just hungry to get in there and get another win.
That said, I can't just count Joseph Lasiri out. The guy called his shot by saying he would make Prajanchai PK.Saenchai quit mentally heading into their fight, and he did just that by forcing him to quit on his stool. Sure, his first foray in the flyweight division was not pretty, but now that he's found his groove, who's to say that he won't pull another miraculous win from his pocket?
This is going to be a slugfest between a hungry predator and a warrior with no quit in him. I see both men laying it all out on the line until one of them drops. Rodtang Jitmuangnon will take his foot off the gas pedal at some point, while Lasiri will fight every round with the mentality that he's behind. This miscalculation on Rodtang's end could cost him dearly and see the underdog pulling a massive upset.
Ted Razon: Rodtang Jitmuangnon by unanimous decision
First off, let me say that I love Joseph Lasiri’s amazing underdog story. It’s a tale of unwavering heart and determination and it certainly embodies what combat sports is all about.
Sadly, that Cinderella story ends at the extremely-heavy hands of Rodtang. The only way to beat this Thai wrecking ball is to knock him senseless. As Demetrious Johnson proved in their mixed-rules bout, Rodtang would rather get choked out than admit defeat.
His chin has willingly absorbed incredible punishment over the years but has remarkably held up every time.
Lasiri has KO power no doubt, and we saw it against Asahi Shinagawa and Prajanchai in his last two bouts. However, I just don’t see him as the guy who will give the 135-pound king his first KO loss inside the Circle.
While Rodtang Jitmuangnon can take Lasiri’s best shots, I don’t think ‘The Hurricane’ can withstand the barrage coming for him. ‘The Iron Man’ throws with evil intentions every time. We’ve seen Lasiri get finished in the past by Sam-A Gaiyanghadao and Singtongnoi Por. Telakun.
Rodtang hits much harder.
Lasiri is a smart fighter and will no doubt have a magnificent game plan. However, Rodtang’s growth as a fighter is quite scary to be honest, since he has now found a way to blend his savage brutality and technical prowess. He’s no longer the same reckless gunslinger we’ve seen in the past, and he will certainly have his hand raised by the end of the night.
SK MMA consensus: 3-1 Rodtang Jitmuangnon
