Boring fights don’t exist in the vocabularies of Rodtang Jitmuangnon and “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane. That shared commitment to entertainment has created one of combat sports’ most unexpected brotherhoods.

ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” has discovered a kindred spirit in Thailand’s iron-chinned destroyer, and their connection transcends weight classes, fighting disciplines, or geographical boundaries. Their bond was shaped by parallel journeys from having nothing to holding championship gold.

“So you never see a Rodtang fight and be bored, and it’s quite similar, you know, you never watch a ‘Reug Reug’ fight and be bored,” Kane said. “The guy is like on the attack all time, or inviting the attack onto him. It’s unbelievable to watch.”

That fighting philosophy reflects something profound about both warriors. When childhood offers nothing but struggle, every opportunity becomes precious, every moment under the lights a chance to provide for the people who matter most.

Kane discovered their connection during shared fight cards, recognizing a familiar hunger in the Thai striker’s relentless approach. Both men understood the weight of carrying entire families on their shoulders.

“Rodtang and I were on many of the same cards, and we both come from the same background, growing up with nothing,” Kane revealed. “We grew up in poverty, and we both dedicated our lives to sports and living for our family.”

The Senegalese champion’s respect for Rodtang extends beyond their similar backgrounds into pure appreciation for the Thai’s destructive artistry. When Rodtang obliterated Takeru Segawa in just 80 seconds at ONE 172 in March, even Kane was stunned.

“We were talking about it before the fight, and we were expecting a five-round war,” Kane admitted. “But it just shows you how good he is. He’s just on another planet to everybody else.”

Kane earned his heavyweight throne by dethroning previously undefeated Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 169, becoming ONE’s first African-born MMA World Champion through sheer determination. Now he prepares to defend that crown against the same Russian at ONE 173 in Tokyo on November 16.

That said, both “Reug Reug” and Rodtang have used championship success to lift their families from circumstances that once seemed inescapable.

“So it’s like, I provide everything for my mom the same way Rodtang does,” Kane said. “And I think our stories are quite similar, just in different countries. We both come from adversity to become champions, and we both won milestone fights when we were on the same cards together.”

There’s poetry in two fighters from opposite ends of the earth finding brotherhood through shared struggle. Senegal and Thailand might be separated by thousands of miles, but poverty speaks the same language regardless of geography.

Kane’s admiration for his Thai brother extends into hopes of sharing another card when he faces Malykhin in their heavyweight title rematch. The prospect of fighting alongside Rodtang again adds personal motivation to an already meaningful defense.

“Hopefully, we’ll be fighting together on the Japan card as well,” Kane said.

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