BRITISH Muay Thai star Jacob Smith will get his chance at revenge when he faces superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon THIS WEEKEND.
Rodtang beat Smith in May 2022 but the pair will do it again in the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday at ONE 169.
However, Rodtang has been stripped of his flyweight title after missing weight – having held the title for FIVE YEARS since October 2019 – leaving the Iron Man in tears backstage.
Smith can still win the title, should he win, having agreed to a catchweight fight against one of the most popular martial artists in the Far East.
The Birkenhead star will also earn 20 per cent of Rodtang’s purse, approximately £45,000 ($58k).
When is Rodtang vs Jacob Smith 2?
- Rodtang vs Jacob Smith 2 takes place on Friday, November 8 (US) / Saturday, November 9 (UK)
- The event will start at 8pm ET / 1am UK but there are nine fights ahead of it on the card.
- Rodtang vs Smith 2 is the co-main event so ring walks aren’t expected until at least midnight ET / 4am UK.
- The main event is for the heavyweight MMA title between Anatoly Malykhin and Oumare ‘Reug Reug’ Kane.
- The women’s strawweight kickboxing title is also on the line as Jackie Buntan faces Anissa Meksen.
What channel will it be on and can it be live streamed?
- In the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports will have full coverage from 1am on Sky Sports Mix.
- In the US and Canada, coverage will be shown on Amazon Prime Video.
What’s been said?
Smith told Sky Sports: “I can’t wait to prove everybody wrong.
“When I do win, that’s when I can change my family’s lives,
“I think he’s perceived as a man that can’t be beat. The Iron Man. Which he is, the Iron Man, I suppose. He does live up to his name.
“But I’m here to take that crown off him.”
Smith added: “He didn’t come at me with his hands down [in the first fight], he didn’t give me any free shots, he didn’t showboat, he took me seriously which I’m expecting him to do again. Because if he doesn’t he’s in for a shock.
“It was my first fight at that level against the most elite fighter in my weight division. My first fight in ONE Championship, my first fight away from home, it was a lot of firsts for me.
“When I first fought him in 2022, it definitely wasn’t the right time to fight him then but I did it anyway. He didn’t do any of that against me then and I think it would be very stupid for him to do that against me now.
“It’s not a competition about how tough you are. It’s about how good you are.
“I’ve got a very exciting style. I come to win. I come to entertain,” Smith added. “I’ll be doing that again but with just a little bit more patience and a little bit better fight IQ and just smarter work.
“I back myself against anybody on the planet with two arms, two legs and the same weight as me.
“I’m coming to cause an upset.”
After having his belt stripped, Rodtang told his two million Instagram followers: “In the [five] years we’ve been together, I’ve done my best.
“If we part ways, I won’t go far. I promise to bring you back. I’ve done my best.”
ONE 169 full card
- Anatoly Malykhin vs Oumar ‘Reug Reug Kane (for ONE heavyweight MMA title)
- Rodtang vs Jacob Smith (catchweight – Smith can win ONE flyweight Muay Thai title, Rodtang cannot)
- Jackie Buntan vs Anissa Meksen (for ONE strawweight kickboxing title)
- Adriano Moraes vs Danny Kingad
- Kongthoranee Sor.Sommai vs Tagir Khalilov
- Kade Ruotolo vs Ahmed Mujtaba
- Sam-A Gaiyanghadao vs Zhang Peimian
- Marcus Almeida vs Amir Aliakbari
- Eddie Abasolo vs Mohamed Younes Rabah
- Ayaka Miura vs Macarena Aragon
- Aliff Sor Dechapan vs Walter Gonclaves