3 Burning Questions Ahead Of The Inner Circle 38 On November 13
Two Thai icons and two young phenoms will reshape the flyweight Muay Thai division in Bangkok, Thailand.
By Fachrul Sidiq
Nov 11, 2026, 05:35 UTC
Two Muay Thai legends. Two fearless young contenders. One historic tournament with the sport’s biggest prizes at stake.
The 2026-2027 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix will begin in spectacular fashion at The Inner Circle 38 this Friday, November 13, live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Streaming exclusively for members at live.onefc.com, the five-bout card features two blockbuster quarterfinals involving four of the division’s top-five ranked contenders, along with rising international talent chasing life-changing US$100,000 contracts.
The eight-man tournament will ultimately crown a champion who walks away with both the prestigious silver Grand Prix belt and the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. But before that monumental achievement can be realized, some of the sport’s biggest names must survive the opening round.
With legacies, redemption, and championship dreams hanging in the balance, here are three burning questions ahead of The Inner Circle 38.
Can Rodtang Remind The World Why He’s ‘The Iron Man’?
Few fighters have electrified Muay Thai audiences quite like #2-ranked flyweight Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon.
The Thai megastar built his fearsome reputation through relentless pressure, devastating combinations, and an iron chin that helped him rule the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai division for five years.
But the 29-year-old now finds himself at a pivotal crossroads.
His last Muay Thai appearance came against Jacob Smith in November 2024, when he delivered a commanding unanimous decision victory. Since then, Rodtang has competed exclusively under kickboxing rules, splitting two spectacular encounters with Japanese icon Takeru Segawa.
After knocking out Takeru in their first meeting, “The Iron Man” suffered a fifth-round TKO defeat in their April 2026 rematch, marking the first time he had been stopped in ONE Championship.
Now, Rodtang has the chance to make a thunderous statement in the discipline that transformed him into a global superstar. However, standing in his way is a man he has admired since his younger days.
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion and #3-ranked flyweight Nong-O Hama possesses the technical precision and vast experience to challenge Rodtang’s aggressive approach. The two were originally scheduled to fight for the vacant flyweight crown at ONE 173 last November, but the showdown was canceled.
Nearly a year later, the stage is finally set. Can Rodtang unleash his trademark aggression, overcome one of Muay Thai’s greatest legends, and take the first step toward reclaiming his throne?
Does Nong-O Have One More World Title Run In Him?
Nong-O Hama has already achieved the kind of greatness that most fighters can only imagine.
The Thai icon celebrated his 40th birthday on November 10, having conquered Thailand’s most prestigious stadiums and defended the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title seven consecutive times. Yet his pursuit of championship glory remains as compelling as ever.
After moving down to flyweight, Nong-O set his sights on becoming a two-division ONE World Champion. But that ambition suffered a setback in March 2026, when undefeated Dagestani sensation Asadula Imangazaliev knocked him out in their clash for the vacant divisional crown.
Rather than allow that defeat to derail his ambitions, the veteran returned to the winner’s circle three months later. Nong-O outpointed fellow Thai standout Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in their trilogy at The Inner Circle 20, earning a decisive unanimous decision victory to close their rivalry with a 2-1 advantage.
Now, another formidable challenge awaits.
Rodtang enters this quarterfinal bout with youth, explosive power, and a fighting style designed to overwhelm opponents. Nong-O counters with decades of experience, razor-sharp timing, and the disciplined approach that has sustained his extraordinary career.
The matchup also carries enormous historical significance. Should Nong-O conquer the Grand Prix, he would add the flyweight crown to his remarkable bantamweight legacy, becoming a two-division ONE World Champion at an age when many fighters have already stepped away from competition.
But first, he must overcome one of the most popular and dangerous superstars in Muay Thai. Can Nong-O turn back the clock once again and begin another unforgettable march toward World Title glory?
Will Shimon And Ondash Steal The Spotlight From The Legends?
While Rodtang and Nong-O command much of the attention, two of Muay Thai’s most exciting phenoms are preparing to make their own mark on the historic Grand Prix.
In the co-main event, #4-ranked Shimon Yoshinari of Japan faces #5-ranked Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash of Lebanon in a quarterfinal that promises explosive action. Both have already demonstrated that they belong among the division’s elite.
At just 22, Shimon boasts a formidable 27-1 professional record and has yet to taste defeat in ONE Championship.
The former WBC Muay Thai World Champion earned his US$100,000 contract after defeating Johan Ghazali in April. He followed that achievement with a stunning knockout of Suablack Tor Pran49 in September, cementing his reputation as one of Japan’s brightest rising stars.
Across the ring stands an equally ambitious young knockout artist.
Ondash, 20, burst onto ONE’s global stage with four consecutive victories in the strawweight division, earning his own six-figure contract in June 2025.
Following a hard-fought defeat to Aliff Sor Dechapan last December, the Lebanese sensation moved up to flyweight and has looked more dangerous than ever. Consecutive victories over Thai powerhouse Suriyanlek Por Yenying and Malaysian-American prodigy Ghazali have propelled “The Scorpion” into the division’s top five.
Now, the stakes have reached another level. The winner of this electrifying encounter will face either Rodtang or Nong-O in the semifinals, creating the possibility of an extraordinary clash between generations.
For Ondash, that could mean a showdown against Rodtang, the superstar he once idolized. Shimon, meanwhile, has his own championship aspirations and the chance to follow his cousin, reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari, into the promotion’s history books.
With both young warriors possessing the speed, confidence, and finishing power to threaten anyone in the bracket, their quarterfinal could prove every bit as spectacular as the main event.
Will the established legends dominate the headlines, or are Shimon and Ondash about to show the world that Muay Thai’s next generation is ready to take over?
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