Anytime you may get a rematch in fight sports activities, it’s a combat that’s value watching. It’s doubly thrilling when stated rematch has a championship hooked up to it, and that’s simply what’s going to occur on Friday night time.
As a consequence of a relocation of the cardboard, ONE 169 will emanate from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Stay protection of the cardboard begins Friday night time (North America time) at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on Amazon Prime Video. This dwell stream on Prime is accessible completely to these dwelling in the USA and Canada.
In the event you’re watching from the UK and Eire, ONE 169 will air Saturday morning (London time) at 1 am on Sky Sports. Absent of any Eleventh-hour changes to the bout order, the present will function 11 contests throughout MMA, kickboxing, and the main focus of the ONE 169 co-main occasion, Muay Thai.
Muay Thai Championship Rematch in ONE 169 Co-Essential Occasion Friday
Instantly following the battle for the Inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing Championship, the scene shifts to The Artwork of Eight Limbs for the co-headliner. The ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Championship is up for grabs when incumbent titleholder Rodtang Jitmuangnon (272-43-10 kickboxing, 15-2 ONE Championship) meets challenger Jacob Smith (16-7 kickboxing, 1-2 ONE Championship).
As with all kickboxing and Muay Thai championship fights, the ONE 169 co-main occasion is an marketed most of 5 rounds at three minutes per spherical. The three-knockdown rule shall be in impact for Friday’s contest.
Ought to a fighter knock his opponent down 3 times over the course of a single spherical or 4 instances in a contest, that fighter shall be declared the winner and champion by means of TKO.
The Sequence So Far
Heading into the ONE 169 co-main occasion on Friday night time, the all-time sequence between Rodtang and Smith stands at 1-0 in favor of the previous. Again on May 20, 2022, Rodtang bested Smith by unanimous choice after three rounds to defend the 135-lb. title. How will chapter two play out?
You don’t need to mess with “The Iron Man” 😵 Will Rodtang unleash his full insanity in opposition to Jacob Smith at ONE 169?#ONE169 | Nov 8 at 8PM ET
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ONE 169 Co-Essential Occasion Fighter Comparability and Betting Odds
Heading into the ONE 169 co-main occasion on Friday night time, Jacob Smith stands because the taller competitor at 5-foot-7, in comparison with the 5-foot-6 body of Rodtang Jitmuangnon. The challenger additionally owns a three-inch attain benefit (68 inches to 65 inches) over the champion.
Presently, the oddsmakers have Rodtang Jitmuangnon put in as a -500 favourite on the cash line, whereas Jacob Smith counters as a +375 underdog. In the event you plan on betting on this or another combat taking place in MMA and/or fight sports activities this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Rodtang Discovering Time to Get on the Pitch Forward of ONE 169 Co-Essential Occasion
Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon has posted a mark of 4-1 in his final 5 fights. Final trip, he defeated Denis Puric (3-3 ONE Championship) in a nontitle affair by way of unanimous choice after three rounds.
Though he’s a fight athlete by commerce, Rodtang still makes time for The Lovely Recreation of soccer and has a fan: One of many best to ever placed on a soccer package, Lionel Messi, who despatched him an Inter Miami CF package final yr.
“I’m tremendous pleased with the reward,” Rodtang stated of the jersey. “Everybody who likes soccer goals of getting near Messi. In fact, I need to play soccer with him, and for certain, I wish to educate him Muay Thai.”
Rodtang may have loads of time to take a nook kick after the ONE 169 co-main occasion. Will he be capable of defend the 135-lb. strap as soon as extra on Friday?
Smith Taking Inventory of Classes Realized From Unique Match with Rodtang
Within the different nook, challenger Jacob Smith has gone 1-2 since becoming a member of ONE Championship’s energetic roster in Might of 2022. Like Rodtang, he additionally confronted Denis Puric in his final combat, with Smith developing a loser by unanimous choice after three rounds back in April.
The challenger has taken inventory of what occurred within the first contest with the champion, including fuel to his fire.
“I’m not going to make any extra excuses about it,” Smith started. “I don’t personally assume I might’ve accomplished any extra on that day. Don’t neglect, this was two years in the past. It was my first combat in ONE Championship. It was my first combat in four-ounce gloves. Not solely was it my first combat on the highest stage, it was in opposition to probably the most elite Muay Thai fighter you may get, so it was powerful.”
Can Smith even the rating in opposition to Rodtang? Solely time will inform.
Evaluation, Movie Research, and Prediction
With the ONE 169 co-main occasion being a rematch, anticipate a dramatic affair on Friday night time.
Rodtang Can Carry the Warmth
As soon as Rodtang Jitmuangnon enters the ring, his goal is straightforward: Come out hitting. One want look no additional than his rematch versus Jonathan Haggerty in 2020.
After Rodtang dropped Haggerty lower than midway by means of the opening spherical of an marketed 5, he stored his foot on the gasoline pedal, aggressively trying to find a shot to the liver and repeatedly throwing such strikes. Upon a restart in spherical three after an eye fixed damage, Rodtang uncorked a barrage of photographs, together with one to the liver, to knock him down.
Following one other restart, this time stemming from a mouthpiece being inadvertently dislodged, the onslaught continued, resulting in a 3rd knockdown earlier than Rodtang put him away for retains moments later. If Rodtang can reply the bell with ruthless aggression on Friday night time, he’ll nonetheless have the belt round his waist on the finish of the night.
Smith Can Rating the Upset
Within the different nook, don’t low cost Jacob Smith. He can shock folks within the ONE 169 co-main occasion. Simply take a look at the tape of his combat from final yr in opposition to Walter Goncalves in ONE Struggle Night time 17.
Throughout the first spherical of a scheduled three, Smith went looking for physique photographs earlier than inflicting a slip with a kick to the physique. Because the spherical neared its finish, he related on a flying knee to the physique to crumple Goncalves up like a chunk of paper.
Whereas the referee administered an eight-count, it was clear that Goncalves wasn’t going to rise to his ft in time. If Jacob Smith can work the physique, he’ll be the brand new champion within the ONE 169 co-main occasion.
Ultimate Ideas
One final piece of recommendation earlier than we are saying goodbye till subsequent time: Get your popcorn prepared for the ONE 169 primary occasion. Chances are you’ll not have the time to pop it as soon as the command to combat is given.
Prediction: Rodtang Jitmuangnon by First-Spherical Knockout.
