Introduction
Rodtang "The Iron Man" Jitmuangnon is one of the most celebrated Muay Thai and kickboxing fighters of the modern era and the foundational face of ONE Championship's Muay Thai division. The Pattalung native held the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship for over 1,900 days (2019-2024) — the longest reign in the title's history with nine successful defenses — and produced one of the most-replayed knockouts of 2025 with his left-hook finish of Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa at ONE 172.
Contents
Quick Stats
Background
Fighting Style
Career Highlights
Notable Fights & Rivalries
Championships & Accolades
Current Status
Fun Facts
Legacy / Verdict
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Quick Stats
Nickname: The Iron Man
Age: 28 (born July 14, 1997)
Height: 5'4" (162 cm)
Reach: 65" (165 cm)
Weight Class: Flyweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing (125-135 lb)
Stance: Orthodox
Team: Jitmuangnon Camp, Thailand
Pro Combat Sports Record: Hundreds of career Muay Thai fights at all levels; ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship 2019-2024 with 9 successful defenses
Background
Born July 14, 1997 in Pattalung Province, Thailand. Rodtang grew up in a working-class Thai family and started training Muay Thai at age six — following the traditional path of Thai Muay Thai fighters who turn professional in stadium fights as children. He competed in hundreds of stadium-level Muay Thai fights at the Thai national level before his ONE Championship signing in 2018.
His ONE Championship debut came in March 2018 with a unanimous decision win over Tarik Khbabez. He won the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship in October 2019 by stopping Jonathan Haggerty by second-round TKO and held the title for over 1,900 days — the longest reign in the title's history. He has remained based in Thailand throughout his ONE Championship career and has been the face of the promotion's Muay Thai division through the 2020s. His brother and other family members are also competitive Muay Thai fighters.
Fighting Style
Pure championship-level Thai Muay Thai with elite forward pressure and legendary chin durability. Rodtang's pattern is textbook Thai stadium-style Muay Thai — relentless forward movement combined with punishing low kicks, body kicks, clinch knees, and short hooks at the end of exchanges. His chin durability is among the most legendary in modern Muay Thai history; his nickname "The Iron Man" comes from his ability to absorb damage and continue forward at championship pace across five rounds.
His weakness — when it has appeared — has been against opponents with reach advantages and elite distance management. The Superlek Kiatmookao 2023 unanimous-decision loss in their Muay Thai bout, the Demetrious Johnson 2022 mixed-rules submission loss, and the Takeru Segawa April 2026 fifth-round TKO loss in their rematch reflect different versions of the same pattern. Within his championship-era prime years from 2019 to 2024, however, his Thai Muay Thai arsenal was the technical floor of the ONE flyweight Muay Thai division — no one in the title contention picture could solve his game for over 1,900 days.
Career Highlights
October 2019 — ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Stopped Jonathan Haggerty at ONE: Age of Dragons by second-round TKO to win the title.
February 2020 — ONE Fight Night vs Haggerty 2. Defended the title via second-round TKO to confirm his championship dominance.
December 2020 — ONE on TNT 1 vs Demetrious Johnson (mixed-rules). Lost via second-round submission in a four-round mixed Muay Thai/MMA contest at ONE X.
September 2023 — ONE Friday Fights 34 vs Superlek Kiatmookao. Lost via unanimous decision in a Muay Thai title-eliminator.
November 2024 — ONE 169 vs Jacob Smith (vacated title due to weight miss). Stripped of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai title after missing weight by 0.25 lbs.
March 2025 — ONE 172 vs Takeru Segawa 1. Knocked out the legendary Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru with a left hook at 1:20 of round one — one of the most-replayed kickboxing finishes of 2025.
November 2025 — ONE 173 vs Nong-O (Cancelled). Withdrew from the bout due to a severe weight cut that resulted in collapse and hospitalization.
April 2026 — ONE Samurai 1 vs Takeru Segawa 2. Lost via fifth-round TKO in their interim flyweight kickboxing championship rematch in Tokyo.
Notable Fights & Rivalries
vs Takeru Segawa (ONE 172 2025, ONE Samurai 1 2026)
Two fights, one for each. Rodtang knocked out Takeru by left-hook KO at 1:20 of round one in March 2025 — one of the most-replayed kickboxing finishes of the year and the result that effectively put Takeru's career into transition. The April 2026 rematch at ONE Samurai 1 in Tokyo for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship was a Takeru fifth-round TKO win — the rematch's revenge result. The trilogy bout, if signed, would be one of the most-anticipated kickboxing fights of late 2026 or 2027.
vs Jonathan Haggerty (ONE Age of Dragons 2019, ONE Fight Night 2020)
Two fights, two Rodtang wins. Rodtang took the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship from Haggerty by second-round TKO in October 2019; the rematch in February 2020 was another second-round Rodtang TKO. Haggerty went on to win the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing Championship; the two-fight series remains one of the foundational rivalries of ONE Championship's Muay Thai division.
vs Superlek Kiatmookao (ONE Friday Fights 34, 2023)
Rodtang's most-discussed loss in his prime years. Superlek won a unanimous decision in their September 2023 Muay Thai title-eliminator — confirming the gap between Rodtang's flyweight Muay Thai title-fight Rodtang and the elite Superlek pattern. Superlek went on to win the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship; a Rodtang-Superlek rematch is widely projected as the most-anticipated unification possibility for the ONE Muay Thai division through 2026 and beyond.
vs Demetrious Johnson (ONE X mixed-rules 2022)
The most-watched cross-discipline fight in ONE Championship history. The four-round contest alternated Muay Thai (round one and three) and MMA (round two and four) rules; Johnson submitted Rodtang in round two of the MMA portion via second-round armlock. The result remains one of the most-replayed cross-discipline fights in ONE history and prompted Rodtang's expressed intent to transition to full MMA.
vs Jacob Smith (ONE 169 cancelled, 2024)
The fight that ended Rodtang's flyweight Muay Thai title reign without a title-defense loss. Rodtang was forced to vacate the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship in November 2024 after missing weight by 0.25 lbs at his scheduled title defense — the result that broke up his over-1,900-day title reign and prompted his current contract dispute with ONE Championship.
Championships & Accolades
ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion (2019-2024) — 1,900+ day reign, longest in the title's history.
Nine successful ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship defenses.
Career win over Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa at ONE 172 (March 2025) — left-hook KO at 1:20 of round one.
ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship challenger (ONE Samurai 1, April 2026).
Hundreds of stadium-level Muay Thai fights in Thailand at the national level prior to his ONE Championship career.
One of the most-followed Thai combat sports athletes globally (over 4 million Instagram followers).
Most prominent face of ONE Championship's Muay Thai division through the 2020s.
Career notable wins over Jonathan Haggerty (twice), Walter Goncalves, Tagir Khalilov, Edgar Tabares, Danial Williams, Savvas Michael, and Jacob Smith.
Current Status
Active and currently in a major contract dispute with ONE Championship. Rodtang's last fight was the April 29, 2026 fifth-round TKO loss to Takeru Segawa at ONE Samurai 1 in Tokyo for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship. ONE Championship has filed a lawsuit against him in Thailand seeking 542 million baht (approximately US$17 million) in damages — alleging breach of contract and defamation following Rodtang's public statements that his ONE contract had expired.
ONE sources say Rodtang remains tied to the promotion through a 12-month matching period that began at the end of his original deal. His next opponent is unannounced as of May 2026 — though a Superlek Kiatmookao rematch for the unification of the ONE Muay Thai and Kickboxing flyweight titles is a strong possibility once the legal situation is resolved. He has continued to express interest in transitioning to a pure MMA career and has been one of the most globally-followed Muay Thai athletes of the 2020s.
Fun Facts
His nickname "The Iron Man" reflects his legendary chin durability and his ability to absorb damage at championship pace across five rounds.
Held the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship for over 1,900 days — the longest reign in the title's history.
Holds 4.36 million Instagram followers and is one of the most-followed Thai combat sports athletes globally.
Started training Muay Thai at age six — following the traditional path of Thai Muay Thai fighters who turn professional in stadium fights as children.
Was knocked out by a left hook from Takeru Segawa to take the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship — a result that avenged Takeru's March 2025 KO loss to Rodtang in 80 seconds.
Currently in a 542-million-baht (US$17 million) contract dispute lawsuit with ONE Championship — one of the most-discussed fighter-promotion legal cases in modern combat sports.
Has expressed public interest in transitioning to pure MMA — though he has not yet had a full MMA fight (only the 2022 mixed-rules contest against Demetrious Johnson).
Career ONE Championship purses are reportedly the highest of any active Thai Muay Thai fighter in the promotion's history.
Legacy / Verdict
Rodtang Jitmuangnon is one of the most accomplished Muay Thai fighters of the modern era and the foundational face of ONE Championship's Muay Thai division through the 2020s. The 1,900-day ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship reign — the longest in the title's history with nine successful defenses — is unmatched in the modern non-Thai-stadium Muay Thai era. The March 2025 KO of Takeru Segawa is one of the most-replayed kickboxing finishes of the 2020s; the chin durability and forward-pressure pattern have made him the most globally-followed Thai combat sports athlete of his generation.
What complicates the legacy is the November 2024 weight miss that ended his Muay Thai title reign without a title-defense loss, the April 2026 Takeru rematch loss, and the ongoing contract dispute with ONE Championship. The competitive resume on its own places him in the top three answers to "greatest Thai Muay Thai fighter of the 2020s." The legacy is permanent regardless of how the current contract dispute is resolved — Rodtang's place in the modern Muay Thai pantheon is settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rodtang Jitmuangnon still active?
Yes. He is one of the most prominent Muay Thai and kickboxing fighters in ONE Championship history. His most recent fight was a fifth-round TKO loss to Takeru Segawa at ONE Samurai 1 on April 29, 2026 in Tokyo for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship. He is currently in a major contract dispute with ONE Championship — the promotion has filed a lawsuit against him in Thailand seeking 542 million baht (approximately US$17 million) in damages.
What is Rodtang Jitmuangnon's professional record?
Rodtang has competed at the elite Muay Thai level for over a decade — with hundreds of professional Muay Thai fights at all levels (Thai stadiums and international promotions) before his ONE Championship career. His ONE Championship record includes a 1,900-day flyweight Muay Thai world championship reign (2019-2024) with nine successful title defenses and a kickboxing championship pedigree that has produced some of the most-watched fights in ONE history.
Was Rodtang ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Champion?
Yes. He held the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship from 2019 to 2024 — over 1,900 days, the longest reign in the title's history with nine successful defenses. He vacated the title after missing weight at his scheduled defense vs Jacob Smith at ONE 169 in November 2024.
Did Rodtang knock out Takeru Segawa?
Yes — at ONE 172 on March 23, 2025 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Rodtang stopped the legendary Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa with a left hook KO at 1:20 of round one in their first meeting. Takeru avenged the loss in their April 29, 2026 rematch at ONE Samurai 1 with a fifth-round TKO win for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship.
What style does Rodtang Jitmuangnon fight?
Pure championship-level Thai Muay Thai with elite forward pressure and chin durability. Rodtang's pattern is textbook Thai stadium-style Muay Thai — relentless forward movement combined with punishing low kicks, body kicks, and clinch knees. His chin durability is among the most legendary in modern Muay Thai history; his nickname "The Iron Man" comes from his ability to absorb damage and continue forward at championship pace across five rounds.
Has Rodtang fought MMA?
Briefly. He competed in a special-rules mixed contest against former UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson at ONE X in March 2022 (alternating Muay Thai and MMA rounds; Johnson submitted Rodtang in round two during the MMA portion). He has expressed interest in transitioning to MMA but has not yet had a full pure-MMA bout in his career.
How tall is Rodtang Jitmuangnon?
Five feet four inches (162 cm). He competes at flyweight (125-135 lb depending on the discipline) — a relatively short but powerfully-built flyweight competitor.
Where is Rodtang Jitmuangnon from?
Born July 14, 1997 in Pattalung Province, Thailand. He is one of the most popular Thai Muay Thai fighters of his generation and has been the face of ONE Championship's Muay Thai division through the 2020s.
References
Bangkok Post — How Rodtang's contract war with ONE Championship spiralled into crisis (April 2026)
Cageside Press — ONE Samurai 1 Full Results (April 29, 2026)