ONE 169: Jacob Smith Keen To Showcase His Improved Fight IQ Against Rodtang

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Jacob Smith will take one step closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming ONE World Champion when he challenges Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the latter's ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World title.

The biggest match of the British brawler's career will take place at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug in Bangkok, Thailand's iconic Lumpinee Stadium on 9 November. This will be a rematch, as Smith made his promotional debut against Rodtang in 2022.

At ONE 157, the 32-year-old striker saw from up close what "The Iron Man" is capable of, but Smith showed immense courage and held ground for three rounds. He acknowledges that the Thai megastar was way ahead of him that day, and he tried everything he could.

"It was an easy win for him last time. I didn't quite understand how good he was until I got in there with him. He was a step or two ahead of me throughout it all. I don't personally think I could've done any more on that day. Don't forget, this was two years ago. It was my first fight in ONE Championship," Smith said.

"Not only was it my first fight at the highest level, it was against the most elite Muay Thai fighter you can get, so it was tough."

After losing his debut match, Smith came back stronger in his second outing, knocking out Walter Goncalves in the first round. Earlier this year, The Bad Company and Thaifist representative faced Denis Puric but lost via unanimous decision.

But Smith has earned the #3 ranking in the star-studded division with his previously gritty performances. He knows he has all the physical attributes, but he believes ever since his debut in ONE, his skills and fight IQ have increased manyfold.

"I can do everything better now. I'm as tough as I always have been, but my fight IQ is better, and my overall skills have improved tenfold. On top of that, I've had a lot more activity in ONE since then," Smith said.

"All I'm going to say is that you can expect to see the same rough, tough Jacob Smith, with better fight IQ and more control of my emotions."