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Andrew Whitelaw

The highly anticipated flyweight Muay Thai world title fight between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Nong-O Hama has been cancelled after Rodtang informed ONE Championship medical staff that he was unwell and was taken to hospital for treatment and evaluation.
The promotion confirmed the news on Friday afternoon in Tokyo, ending hopes of a blockbuster showdown at ONE 173 on Sunday.
The cancellation came shortly after a difficult weigh-in morning for both men. Nong-O failed hydration testing and was unable to make weight for the contest, meaning he would have been ineligible to win the vacant flyweight Muay Thai world title even if the fight had proceeded.
The 39-year-old had hoped to inspire a younger generation by showing he could still compete at the highest level late in his career, but those plans have been derailed for now.
Rodtang, who has struggled with weight cuts in the past, passed hydration and made weight on his only attempt, but did so with just minutes remaining before his cut-off. Hours later, however, the reigning fan favourite was withdrawn from the event after reporting that he felt unwell.

“Rodtang has informed ONE medical staff that he is unwell. For the athlete’s health and safety, he has been transported to the hospital and is undergoing treatment and evaluation,” the promotion said in a statement. “The ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title fight between Rodtang and Nong-O has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a future event.”
There were further weigh-in issues elsewhere on the card, with Japanese kickboxing star Rukiya Anpo failing hydration testing ahead of his ONE Championship debut. His opponent, Marat Grigorian, made weight without difficulty, adding a layer of irony after Anpo had told Grigorian during Thursday’s face-off to “make sure you make weight”.
Anpo’s comment referenced Grigorian’s last outing at ONE 172, where he missed weight for his scheduled clash with Kaito Ono and was accused of eating yakiniku during fight week.
Speaking to the Post after the news broke, Grigorian did not hide his irritation.
“He was talking during the face-off and now he misses weight,” Grigorian said. “He was saying to me to make weight and here it is, he is the one not making weight. I am a professional fighter. It happens, it can happen, but he was talking very big and very loud.
“But for me the fight goes on. I don’t care if he is heavy or not. I will fight. This is what the fans want to hear.”

All other fighters made weight, including “main event” competitors Superbon Singha Mawynn and Masaaki Noiri.
Japanese superstar Takeru Segawa also passed without issue ahead of his clash with Denis Puric. Takeru appeared relaxed and confident during media day, saying: “I trained to win and my condition is very good. I will definitely win on Sunday.”
He also promised a highlight for the home crowd, adding: “I will win by knockout and show the backflip again.”
Takeru credited his tight-knit team for keeping him focused. “We always train together and push each other. Our bond is very strong and that strength comes into the fight,” he said.


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ONE Championship: Rodtang v Nong-O title fight cancelled after ‘Ironman’ hospitalised

From left, Rodtang made his weight before feeling unwell, while Nong-O and Anpo both failed their weigh-ins. Photo: Handout

An irritated Marat Grigorian said his fight against Rukiya Anpo would go on. Photo: ONE Championship

Thailand’s Superbon (left) and Japan’s Masaaki Noiri (right) both made weight. Photo: ONE Championship

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Thailand’s Superbon Singha Mawynn (left) will defend his ONE featherweight kickboxing world title against Japan’s Masaaki Noiri (right) on Sunday. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE 173 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sunday will feature a card stacked with elite strikers. Photo: Handout

ONE Championship: Thai star Stamp Fairtex to make up for lost time against Kana Morimoto

Stamp Fairtex (left) will face Kana Morimoto in her least preferred discipline of kickboxing. Photo: Handout

Stamp Fairtex (left) and Kana Morimoto at their pre-fight press conference in September. Photo: ONE Championship.

Sport

Martial Arts

Muay Thai star unwell, forcing cancellation on dramatic day when his opponent – as well as Japan’s Anpo – failed hydration testing, weigh-in


Muay Thai star unwell, forcing cancellation on dramatic day when his opponent – as well as Japan’s Anpo – failed hydration testing, weigh-in.


Muay Thai

Superbon Singha Mawynn

Masaaki Noiri

ONE Championship: Rodtang v Nong-O title fight cancelled after ‘Ironman’ hospitalised

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Muay Thai star unwell, forcing cancellation on dramatic day when his opponent – as well as Japan’s Anpo – failed hydration testing, weigh-in

Muay Thai star unwell, forcing cancellation on dramatic day when his opponent – as well as Japan’s Anpo – failed hydration testing, weigh-in