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Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 are among the best strikers the game has ever seen. It was little wonder when they battled each other, fireworks ensued.
The two Thai superstars collided in September 2023 at ONE Friday Fights 34 in a catchweight 140-pound Muay Thai battle. They went all out for three rounds and rendered the contest one of the best ever, if not the best, in the "art of eight limbs."
Initially penciled for the flyweight Muay Thai world title that Rodtang then held, the match was reconfigured into catchweight after challenger Superlek missed weight. Despite being a non-title match, intensity filled the air with both of the fighters packing the heat at the onset.
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Superlek pummeled Rodtang's legs with heavy right kicks early on, which 'The Iron Man' countered with crisp boxing combinations. The latter managed to throw in an upward elbow midway into the opening stanza, busting open the forehead of 'The Kicking Machine.'
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In the second round, the Jitmuangnon Gym standout kept the pressure on his Kiatmoo9 Gym counterpart, who managed to temper his opponent's push with his kicking game.
Superlek then managed to take control of the match midway, sending Rodtang to the ropes and unleashing a barrage of strikes, including an elbow that sent Rodtang down for the eight-count.
In the third and final round, with the outcome of the match still very much open, the protagonists went on a ferocious back-and-forth. Rodtang unleashed punches and elbows like hell, which Superlek, despite blood gushing out from his forehead, stood tough against with solid strikes of his own.
When the smoke cleared, it was Superlek's hand which was raised in victory by unanimous decision.
ONE Championship looked back at the epic showdown, recently posting a video of the full fight on YouTube.
Check out the post below:
Rodtang and Superlek featured in high-stakes matches at ONE 173
The recent video post by ONE Championship on Rodtang and Superlek's explosive showdown two years ago is in line with their scheduled return to action next week against separate opponents.
They are among the superstars seeing action at the promotion's stacked card at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Nov. 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Rodtang will try to reclaim the flyweight Muay Thai world title he was stripped of last year for missing weight, battling Thai legend Nong-O Hama for the currently vacant championship belt.
Meanwhile, Superlek will try to stop steaking Japanese kickboxing star Yuki Yoza in a possible title eliminator in the bantamweight lane.
Tickets for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri are available via ePlus in Japan. The event is also live on pay-per-view exclusively at Live.ONEFC.com.
For more information on the marquee live on-ground show, follow Sportskeeda MMA and ONE Championship.
