Nong-O Hama Defeats Rodtang By Unanimous Decision In ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal At The Inner Circle 38
Nong-O Hama turned back the clock at Lumpinee Stadium. The 40-year-old Thai legend dropped Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon with a high kick and earned a unanimous decision in their ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinal.
The long-awaited clash headlined The Inner Circle 38 on Friday, November 13, in Bangkok. The two former champions were first booked to meet for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 173 last November, but Rodtang withdrew after feeling unwell and Nong-O failed hydration.
Round one was dead even, with Rodtang working the body and Nong-O answering with left and right kicks as the tension inside Lumpinee grew.
Rodtang came out fast in the second, hunting with body punches. Nong-O pierced his guard with an elbow, then sent a high left kick over the Jitmuangnon Gym star’s defense to floor him where he stood.
Rodtang beat the eight-count but trailed on the scorecards. He chased the finish throughout the third round, but the veteran used his experience to tie him up in the clinch and see out the fight.
The victory sends Nong-O into the Grand Prix semifinals and improves the Evolve MMA and Superbon Training Camp representative to 269-59. It also hands Rodtang a rare defeat in a fight that carried a direct route back to the title.
On the undercard, PTT Apichart Farm survived an early wobble from a Hamza Rachid high kick before knocking out the 27-year-old Moroccan at 2:37 of the first round. The Venum Training Camp product returned to the win column and moved to 115-25.
Italy’s Lenny Blasi set the tone with a body hook that forced an eight-count in round one, then outworked Adam Benwarwar for a unanimous decision. The 22-year-old Fairtex Training Center product improved to 33-8.
Laotian teenager Songpandin Chor Kaewwiset earned a split decision over Petubon Jitmuangnon, using his right hand to secure a fourth straight win. The 19-year-old now stands at 44-13.
Banluelok Sitwatcharachai and Burmese debutant Mya Lone Chaw traded knockdowns in a wild first round before Banluelok ended it with a counter left at 1:04 of the second. The 29-year-old’s fourth straight win lifted him to 92-22.
For Nong-O, the road to Grand Prix glory now runs through the semifinals, with the silver belt and undisputed world title waiting at the end.
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