ONE Championship: Three Fights For Rodtang Jitmuangnon In 2024

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ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will kick off 2024 with a historic kickboxing battle against Japanese megastar Takeru Segawa at ONE 165, but the year ahead could also see him partake in even more scintillating super-fights.

"The Iron Man" will welcome a much-lauded Takeru to the world's largest martial arts organization when it returns to Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, 28 January. Should he leave victorious in the dream matchup, he'll have the pick of the litter for his next promotional appearance.

Rodtang has never been shy about naming a challenge he'd like to pursue on the global stage, so let's look at three fights that could be in his mind in 2024.

Superlek Kiatmoo9 II: Arguably the biggest names in ONE's Muay Thai and kickboxing ranks, Rodtang and Superlek Kiatmoo9 finally went toe-to-toe this past September in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 34.

The outing was the biggest Muay Thai bout in recent history and was watched worldwide. The pair went all three rounds in the high-octane striking showcase, and ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek emerged victorious in the end.

Superlek scored a second-round knockdown on Rodtang, and it proved to be the difference when the fight went to the judges' scorecards. But his performance was blighted because he missed weight.

Rodtang has since stated he'd love to run the fight back, and fans could very easily see it go down in either his or "The Kicking Machine's" realm in 2024.

Jonathan Haggerty III: Since dethroning Nong-O Hama from the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title this past April at ONE Fight Night 9, Jonathan Haggerty has had a huge target on his back. And one of the names looking to step into the ring with him is "The Iron Man."

After defeating Edgar Tabares at ONE Fight Night 10, Rodtang took to the microphone to call out Haggerty, saying that he'd love a chance to take him on in a bantamweight super-fight.

The pair have crossed paths twice before in the flyweight realm, with Rodtang defeating Haggerty on both occasions - first taking the flyweight Muay Thai throne off him, then defending it against him.

The Thai superstar would have plenty of confidence heading into a trilogy bout, but given "The General's" run of form in 2023, he'd have reason to fear the British star in 2024.

Jacob Smith II: Rodtang and Jacob Smith first squared off in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinal in May 2022, and a thrilling three-round firefight ensued between the immovable scrappers.

That night, "The Iron Man" took home the unanimous decision win over the bloodied Brit, who was then forced onto the sideline with various injuries until his return at ONE Fight Night 17 earlier this month.

Smith took on #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Walter Goncalves in his second promotional appearance, and he showed the world that he belongs amongst the striking elite in ONE Championship.

The Birkenhead brawler dispatched the fiery Brazilian inside one round with a beautiful knee to the body, and there isn't a chance that he hasn't been thinking of a rematch with Rodtang.

Both fighters have evolved since their first meeting 18 months ago, and a second meeting between the two would intrigue Muay Thai fans worldwide and shine a bright light on the Muay Thai talent coming out of the UK, which would be a win-win for all involved.