‘I Want To Be Loved By Everyone’ – Rodtang Opens Up About Pressure, Weight Struggles, And Redemption Ahead Of ONE SAMURAI 1

Rather than deflect or downplay the situation, the 28-year-old has chosen to face it directly, framing it as part of the responsibility that comes with competing at the highest level.

Rodtang addressed the situation with clarity and accountability:

“Some people said I lost my [World] Championship because of my own behavior. I would say people make mistakes in all kinds of professions and sports. If the mistakes stem from my side, I can fix them.

“Fighting with my opponents, I never missed. I always put my all. I am sure I’m serious enough to beat every opponent I’m facing.”

Rodtang Reflects On Weight Challenges And Mental Pressure

ONE Championship features a hydration testing protocol designed to ensure athletes remain safe while performing at the highest level.

For Rodtang Jitmuangnon, who has competed in the flyweight division for years, that process requires careful balance and discipline, as fighters manage both their conditioning and overall physical well-being.

The 28-year-old explained:

“ONE Championship is very strict in weighing and water percentage. It is very challenging for all fighters, including a highly experienced one like me, because you need to keep yourself hydrated while reducing your body weight.

“Honestly, that is very challenging. But everyone made it. And then one day, I made that mistake. It is inevitable. I just accept the reality and keep going. That’s all.”

While the system is designed to prioritize athlete safety, the onus falls on each competitor to prepare accordingly. The emotional impact of falling short can linger beyond the scale, but Rodtang is careful not to let that moment define who he is as a fighter.

Instead, the Jitmuangnon product continues to approach his career with the same mindset that has driven him to the top of the sport, grounded in both experience and self-awareness.

His perspective is shaped by years of competing in the same division, balancing risk and reward with each decision he makes:

“I had been fighting this way for seven or eight years. It is a bit tiring, but I still want to do it because if I’m ranked up to a higher weight range, there would be so many disadvantages. And I would get hurt.

“So, I chose to stay in this weight range as long as I could, no matter how exhausting it makes me. I will eventually make it one day in some fights.”

That long-term outlook reflects a fighter who understands both the limits of his body and the demands of his profession, while continuing to push forward in pursuit of his goals.

As he prepares for his ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title clash against Takeru at ONE SAMURAI 1, Rodtang is not only focused on performance, but also on how he is perceived by fans across the world.

In a sport where outcomes are often reduced to wins and losses, he believes there is something more meaningful that can be taken from each fight.

He offered:

“I want to be loved by everyone because it’s a sport. People win and people lose. I would like the world, including Takeru’s Japanese fans, to appreciate both Takeru and me.”

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