“Rodtang will be as big as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi”

Rodtang Jitmuangnon is the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion. Photo via Instagram (@rodtang_jimungnon)

Reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon is destined for big things.

ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong beleives that the Muay Thai fighter has the potentional of becoming one of the biggest sport stars in the world.

“Rodtang will earn $300,000 per fight,” Sityodtong told South China Morning Post. “It’s the highest [pay] in the world for Muay Thai by a huge margin.”

“In two or three years, Rodtang will be as big as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi,” Sityodtong claimed.

That

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Rodtang became ONE champ in 2019

On August 2, 2019, Jitmuangnon faced Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship. Despite a slow start, he went on to win the title fight by unanimous decision.

The 25-year-old champion is also known to the masses for his special-rules fight with former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson.

Rounds 1 and 3 were contested under the ONE Muay Thai ruleset, and rounds 2 and 4 were contested under the ONE MMA ruleset. Jitmuangnon lost the fight via a rear-naked choke in the second round.

Read more: Fighter removed from UFC roster following UFC 289 loss

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