Bangkok, Thailand’s Rodtang Jitmuangnon: My ‘ONE: Century 世紀’ fight in Tokyo, Japan will be exciting

Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, 22, of Bangkok, Thailand became the new ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion at “ONE: Dawn of Heroes” in the Philippines. He will defend his belt for the first time at “ONE: Century 世紀” in Japan.

“I am really excited to defend my ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship for the first time here, especially in front of such a huge crowd,” Rodtang said during the “ONE: Century 世紀” press conference at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo, Japan on October 10, 2019. “My fight is going to be an exciting one. Thank you so much for all the support.”

On August 2, 2019, Rodtang challenged then reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty, 22, of London, England, United Kingdom in the co-main event of “ONE: Dawn of Heroes” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The Thai challenger won via unanimous decision.

The fighter who will try to dethrone Rodtang at “ONE: Century 世紀” is Walter Gonçalves, 21, of Fortaleza, Brazil. It will be the Brazilian challenger’s debut in ONE Championship‘s striking-only league ONE Super Series.

Taking place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on October 13, 2019, “ONE: Century 世紀” is the 100th live event of ONE Championship and its second event in Japan. The promotion’s head honcho Chatri Sityodtong, who came up with the name to the event, said he wanted to “signify the greatest martial arts event in the last 100 years.”

Featured at “ONE: Century 世紀” are 28 world champions from across various martial arts and seven world title bouts in two full-scale events. The first part will be broadcast live in the United States via TNT and B/R Live and it starts from 9:00 a.m. JST on October 13, 2019 or 8:00 p.m. EST on October 12, 2019.

The ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship bout between Rodtang and Gonçalves is one of the three co-main events of the second part, which will be broadcast live across more than 140 countries worldwide and streamed to 2.6 billion potential viewers through the world’s largest television networks. It starts from 5:00 p.m. JST on October 13, 2019 or 4:00 a.m. EST on October 12, 2019.