Rodtang Talks Title Fight With “Role Model” Nong-O At ONE 173: “When Our Paths Cross, We Have Our Duties”
Rodtang Jitmuangnon spent six years insisting he would never fight Nong-O Hama, repeatedly declaring during promotional events that respect for his role model meant some matchups should never happen regardless of competitive logic or championship stakes.
Destiny ignored those declarations. The former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion now faces the 38-year-old icon for the vacant throne on November 16 at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, where brotherhood collides with professional duty in a fight that will resume friendship the moment the final bell sounds.
Their bond formed through shared Singapore meals during Rodtang’s early ONE Championship days, deepening during a 2019 Phuket retreat where warriors from across the roster gathered. Nong-O’s quiet dignity and humble demeanor despite legendary accomplishments drew “The Iron Man” toward someone who embodied everything a champion should represent both inside and outside combat.
Nong-O’s resume validates that admiration. Roughly 350 professional fights have produced conquests across nearly every major Muay Thai accolade — two Thailand National Championships, four Lumpinee Stadium World Titles spanning multiple divisions, and a Rajadamnern Stadium crown. His ONE Championship reign delivered seven successful bantamweight title defenses with five brutal knockouts before moving to flyweight rekindled championship hunger.
“He should be the role model of the role models that everyone should try to follow in his footsteps,” Rodtang said. “He will always get my respect.”
Their friendship extends beyond fighting into football matches where friendly competition represented the closest they’d ever clash, or so Rodtang believed. Now business demands they transition from soccer pitch to Circle, creating bittersweet conflict that leaves the younger fighter uncertain whether victory would even bring satisfaction.
Fighting another Thai warrior carries different emotional weight than facing international opponents. Fighting someone you genuinely respect and share meals with adds layers of complexity that transform championship bouts into something unprecedented in Rodtang’s decorated career.
Both professionals understand duty supersedes friendship once the Circle door closes. When that moment arrives, they’ll become hungry contenders chasing immortality rather than brothers sharing jokes between rounds.
“When our paths cross, we have our duties,” Rodtang said. “I’ll need to do my best.”
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