ONE 173 preview and prediction: Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Nong-O Hama

With the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title hanging in the balance, a personal friendship will be set aside at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.

Two of the biggest stars in 'The Art of Eight Limbs' will collide this coming Sunday, Nov. 16, when Rodtang Jitmuangnon meets Nong-O Hama in a superfight inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena.

Rodtang is on a path to reclaim what was once his. 'The Iron Man' has ruled the flyweight Muay Thai ranks with impunity, destroying every challenger in his wake. However, he lost his coveted belt outside the ring after failing to meet the demands of the scales last year.

The 28-year-old megastar is one win away from recapturing his old throne, but a man he looks up to is currently blocking his path.

Standing in his way is his good friend and mentor Nong-O Hama, the former longtime ONE bantamweight Muay Thai kingpin.

The 38-year-old battle-tested warrior has only gotten better with age. After defending his 26 pounds of gold for a whopping seven times, Nong-O took some tough losses against younger adversaries.

Pundits were quick to write him off, but he reinvented himself in a new weight class and proved he is still one of the best in the world.

Don't miss this Thai on Thai striking showdown at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri. Secure your PPV passes here.

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Prediction: Rodtang defeats Nong-O via third-round TKO

Rodtang and Nong-O have forged a lifetime bond as brothers, but that won't matter once the bell rings.

'The Iron Man' will push the tempo like he always does and mix things up with his low kicks and sharp punches. However, I doubt he'll purposely leave his chin open this time, given his respect for Nong-O's power.

The 38-year-old legend took on a measured tactic in his previous win over Kongthoranee Sor Sommai, and I see him employing the same patient approach against his ultra-aggressive compatriot.

Nong-O's underrated Muay femur style will be on display, as precise counterstriking and distance management will be key against Rodtang.

I foresee the former bantamweight Muay Thai kingpin going up early in the scorecards by maintaining a rhythm of catch and release — tagging 'The Iron Man' when he gets too reckless and slipping out of harm's way to avoid retaliation.

However, Rodtang's godly durability will allow him to keep pushing forward and instigate the mayhem he seeks.

The brawler in Nong-O will eventually get reawakened, and these two will figure in a violent sequence that would have the Ariake Arena crowd on its feet.

But as we've seen in the Takeru fight, Rodtang simply needs one pinpoint shot, and it's game over.

I see Rodtang punishing Nong-O from the clinch with violent elbows before finding a route to the Thai icon's chin for the decisive stoppage finish.