Rodtang Jitmuangnon retained his flyweight Muay Thai title with a majority decision victory against Petchdam Petchyindeeacademy at ONE: ‘No Surrender’ in Bangkok tonight.
It was the promotion’s first major fight card following a five-month hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the main event Rodtang turned in another high-octane performance in this trilogy encounter with Petchdam.
The champion pushed the pace from the outset, landing combinations of power punches and constantly backing his opponent up. Petchdam was on the end of some vicious liver shots in the second round which might well have taken their toll on the experienced southpaw.
Marching forwards
Petchdam struggled to circle away as Rodtang marched forwards. He was unable to find a home for his trademark left kick, although he did slam his shin into the forearms and elbows of the champion on a few occasions.
Rodtang’s pressure and power would ultimately prove too much for Petchdam to handle. The champion looked to have an unassailable lead on the scorecards going into the final round but continued to plant his feet and throw punching combinations.
Surprisingly one judge scored it a draw but the other two voted in favour of Rodtang. His ONE Super Series record is now 8-0 and he looks set to defend the belt against Superlek Kiatmoo9, who tasted victory earlier in the evening.
Impressive performance
The co-main event saw Petchmorakot Petchyindeeacademy successfully defend his ONE featherweight Muay Thai title with a decision win over the legendary Yodsanklai Fairtex. But while the veteran challenger came up short he put in an impressive performance.
Petchmorakot was awarded the decision but he wouldn’t have enjoyed the opening round much. Yodsanklai walked him down, trapped him in the corner and threw heavy leather.
In the second stanza Petchmorakot regained his composure and started to counter more effectively. He was able to catch the southpaw’s body kicks and counter with punches but was cut by an elbow towards the end of the round.
Yodsanklai recently turned 35 and was unable to keep up the fierce pace he set in the first round. As the fight progressed Petchmorakot took control and the champion was able to claim a clear cut win on the scorecards.
Best of the rest
There were two MMA fights on the card with Stamp Fairtex (5-0) making quick work of Sunisa Srisen (3-1).The gulf in class was obvious from the outset and the former landed some devastating knees from the clinch.
Sunisa nearly made it to the four minute mark but the knees from Stamp had done their damage. When the ONE Championship veteran got the fight to the ground she quickly finished her opponent with punches, the end coming at 3:59.
Tiger Muay Thai’s Fabrico Andrade (4-2) scored a statement victory over Mark Abelardo (17-6). The Brazilian looked slick with his stand-up in the first round and scored a submission win in the second, locking in a rear naked choke at the 1.11 mark.
ONE: ‘No Surrender’, Bangkok, July 31st
Muay Thai: Rodtang Jitmuangnon (c) def. Petchdam Petchyindeeacademy by decision (For flyweight title)
Muay Thai: Petchmorrakot Petchyindeeacademy def. Yodsanklai Fairtex by decision (Defends featherweight title)
Kickboxing: Superbon Banchamek def. Sittichai Sitsongpeenong by decision
Stamp Fairtex def. Sunisa Srisan via TKO (Punches) at 3:59 of round one
Felicio Andrade def. Mark Abelardo via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:11 of round two
Muay Thai: Superlek Kiatmoo9 def. Panpayak Jitmuangnon by decision
