appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Nicolas Atkin

All Martial Arts content – including ONE Championship coverage – has been made freely available. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.
It’s well known Rodtang Jitmuangnon is a keen football fan, and now he has received the ultimate collector’s item.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s World Cup winning superstar, sent ONE Championship’s flyweight Muay Thai king a signed shirt from his club team, Inter Miami.
“I have waited for the jersey for a very long time,” Rodtang said in a video posted to his official Facebook account.
“The Iron Man” added that it was Messi’s bodyguard in the US who sent him the shirt, because he is an avid Muay Thai fan.


“It’s what I’ve been waiting for. Today has arrived. Feeling speechless, very happy,” the 26-year-old added in an Instagram post.
Rodtang, who has admitted he plays football to stay fit rather than constantly sparring during fight camps, had been promised the shirt last month and shared a picture of it on social media.
“I was a normal kid who didn’t think he would give me this,” Rodtang wrote. “I hope you like my battles. And someday we will meet. Thank you brother for helping me.”
MMA ‘back in full force’ in 2024 ONE Championship calendar
Rodtang’s star has certainly risen since signing with ONE Championship in 2018.
“An interesting stat is that a few years ago he had 14,000 followers even though he was genuinely one of the most feared strikers in the world at the time,” CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong recently told the Post.
“Today, he has over four million followers across his social media platforms, and that is what happens when you combine world championship talent like Rodtang with a massive platform like ONE, it creates massive fandom.
“That’s why I’m very proud to have built this platform, where he can share his story, his achievements and his values globally, and all fans get to enjoy and be inspired by him. That ultimately is why we built the company, it’s our North Star.”

Rodtang is not currently booked for a fight, following his unanimous decision loss to close friend and fellow football enthusiast Superlek Kiatmookao in September.
A rematch is still on the cards, however, as is a blockbuster showdown with Japanese kickboxing star Takeru Segawa.
“Rodtang’s team and I talk on a regular basis,” Chatri added. “He wants to become a legend, that’s his No 1 thing. He wants to clean out and clear out every striking art before going to MMA.
“He’s still young, only 26. He has the whole world ahead of him, and obviously a huge platform like ONE.”


Promoter behind Strikeforce, Bellator MMA, to launch new 32-fighter combat league

Macau will be launch pad to Asia as promotion looks East, UFC boss Kevin Chang says

ONE Championship: Yod-IQ Pimolsri secures contract, eyes rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev

ONE Championship: Superbon insists his longevity, success are rooted in discipline over sacrifice

ONE Championship

ONE Championship’s Rodtang ‘speechless’ after Lionel Messi sends him signed football shirt

Rodtang Jitmuangnon shows off his signed Lionel Messi shirt. Photo: Instagram/@rodtang_jimungnon


Rodtang Jitmuangnon thanks the crowd after his decision loss to Superlek. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Chatri says Anissa Meksen’s ‘emotional outbursts’ are ‘water under the bridge’ after apology

Anissa Meksen poses on the scale at the ONE on Prime Video 2 ceremonial weigh-ins. Photos: ONE Championship

Anissa Meksen lands a right hand on Dangkongfah Banchamek.

Anissa Meksen celebrates a decision win over Dangkongfah in an atomweight Muay Thai bout at ONE on Prime Video 2 in Singapore.

Anissa Meksen lands a punch on Marie Ruumet at ONE 156 in Singapore.

ONE Championship: MMA ‘back in full force’ in 2024 calendar, more than 60 events ‘around the world’

ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong speaks at a B2B event in Bangkok. Photo: ONE Championship

Joshua Pacio (left) will get a chance to reclaim the ONE strawweight MMA title from Jarred Brooks after their first fight in Manila in December 2022. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE heavyweight MMA champion Anatoly Malykhin could also be in line to return in early 2024. Photo: ONE Championship

Chatri Sityodtong and Takeru Segawa at a press conference in Tokyo. Photo: Abema 

ONE Championship: Joshua Pacio vs Jarred Brooks rematch set for early 2024

Joshua Pacio (left) applauds after Jarred Brooks is announced as the winner of their title fight in Manila. Photos: ONE Championship

Joshua Pacio celebrates his win over Mansur Malachiev. 

Jarred Brooks talks to Mitch Chilson after winning the ONE strawweight MMA title. 

ONE Championship: Hong Kong Muay Thai fighter Yu Yau-pui earns US$100,000 contract with TKO

Yu Yau Pui breaks down in tears after being awarded a US$100,000 ONE contract. Photos: ONE Championship

Yu Yau Pui lands a right hand on Zehra Dogan.

Yu Yau Pui’s arm is raised after her TKO of Zehra Dogan.

ONE Championship: Christian Lee set to return in February for title defence

Christian Lee holds his two ONE Championship title belts after beating Kiamrian Abbasov in November 2022. Photos: ONE Championship

Christian Lee finishes Kiamrian Abbasov.

Christian Lee with his family and team in the ring at Singapore Indoor Stadium after beating Kiamrian Abbasov.

Christian Lee celebrates after regaining the ONE lightweight MMA title in Singapore from Ok Rae-yoon.

Sport

Martial Arts

Muay Thai

Flyweight Muay Thai king says he ‘waited for a very long time’ to get his hands on the prized possession from World Cup-winning superstar
‘I was a normal kid who didn’t think he would give me this,’ Rodtang says, as ONE boss Chatri reveals 26-year-old ‘wants to ‘become a legend’


ONE Championship’s flyweight Muay Thai king says he ‘waited for a very long time’ to get his hands on the prized possession.


Lionel Messi