SUMMARY
- Denis Puric called out Rodtang after his victory over Jacob Smith at ONE Fight Night 21.
- Puric gets his wish as he will fight Rodtang at the upcoming ONE 167.
ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon meets Bosnian-Canadian striker Denis Puric in a flyweight kickboxing bout that is sure to produce fireworks.
Puric has been banging on the door for a showdown with “The Iron Man,” and the 39-year-old stepped up his pursuit after his recent win over Jacob Smith. In the days following his unanimous decision victory earlier this month, Puric said he had only one future opponent in his crosshairs.
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“Rodtang – he’s the only one on my mind. If he’s doing a kickboxing fight, I would be more than happy to put on the 10-ounce gloves and bang with him in kickboxing,” he said.
“We can do MMA, we can do mixed rules – we can start how you want and we can finish how you want. Whatever you want, man, line it up – big gloves, small gloves, no gloves, f***, I don’t care, let’s go!”
“Give me a couple of months. In June, I’ll be ready. I’m going right back in the gym, I’m working on my cardio, I’m gonna get my sh** together. Anything you want, bro. Anybody pulls out, I’m f***ing here, I’m ready. I’m gonna stay in Thailand. I’m not going nowhere. I’m coming for your a** bro.”
Puric has since gotten his wish, and now the details of the upcoming fight have been revealed.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon to face Denis Puric at ONE 167
Rodtang Jitmuangnon faces Denis Puric in a non-title flyweight kickboxing contest at ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga on Prime Video on June 7. The blockbuster show takes place at Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.
The world has been waiting for news of Rodtang’s return since the highly anticipated showdown between the Thai megastar and Takeru Segawa was scuppered by a hand injury earlier this year.
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Now fully recovered, Rodtang will look to add to the 14 victories that he has racked up on the ONE stage since his promotional debut in 2018. Puric, for his part, represents a perfect dance partner for Rodtang. “The Bosnian Menace” has won his last two fights and his ultra-aggressive style mirrors that of his upcoming foe.