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British striker Jacob Smith is bracing for a life-changing victory in the event he defeats Thai superstar and ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in their rematch next month. He said a win would be so huge that he could not even put it into words.
The 32-year-old Bad Company/Thaifist affiliate will try to seize the flyweight Muay Thai gold from 'The Iron Man' in the co-headlining showdown at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Nov. 8 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a rematch of their first encounter in May 2022 in a ONE flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinal showdown, where Rodtang won by decision.
In an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Jacob Smith spoke about the significance of exacting payback on his Thai tormentor and becoming world champion, not only as a fighter but also as an individual, saying:
"To win the ONE world champion, it'll be something that I can't put into words, like what that would mean to me. It would be life-changing. Yeah, it'll certainly be life-changing."
Apart from seizing the world title from Rodtang, also serving as motivation for Jacob Smith heading into the contest is the desire to bounce back after losing in his previous match in April by decision to Bosnian-Canadian fighter Denis Puric.
Meanwhile, ONE 169 will mark the sixth defense of Rodtang of the world title he won in August 2019. His most recent successful defense was in May last year in the United States by way of a second-round knockout of Mexican challenger Edgar Tabares.
ONE 169: Malykhin vs Reug Reug will be aired live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Lito Adiwang believes Jacob Smith has it in him to upset Rodtang in rematch
Jacob Smith enters his rematch with Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 169: Malykhin vs Reug Reug on Nov. 8 as an underdog. For Lito Adiwang, however, the Englishman is capable of pulling off an upset, thanks to the power he packs in his strikes.
The Filipino strawweight MMA fighter shared his take on the marquee match in an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, asserting that if Smith gets to tap on his strong suits, he has a fair chance against 'The Iron Man.'
"Let's not forget that Jacob is a powerful striker as well. So just to add to that, he should move around and utilize his footwork."
Smith showed his power in his first-round knockout win over Brazilian Walter Goncalves last December by way of a solid knee to the midsection.
