‘I Feel Really Excited’ – Nong-O Says Rodtang Title Fight Is The Biggest Of His Career
The Muay Thai legend is ready to lock horns with this generation’s best fighter at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16.
By Kriel Ibarrola
Oct 16, 2025, 17:17 UTC
Former undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama has seen it all across nearly 350 professional fights, yet he believes nothing compares to the magnitude of what awaits him at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16.
That night, the living legend from Thailand will challenge countryman Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
For the veteran fighter, this bout represents more than just another opportunity to capture the gold. It’s his chance to prove that at 38 years of age, he can still hang with the world’s best.
A victory will deliver historic two-division glory and delay Father Time’s inevitable arrival. Furthermore, it will remind fans of his status as one of the greatest to ever step into the ring in “the art of eight limbs.”
Nong-O described the significance of this showdown to onefc.com:
“This fight is actually a huge one. The biggest one I have ever fought in, and I get to go to Japan.
“It’s not pressure because I’ve been through multiple fights and stuff. I’ve been a champion for a long time. This fight is another inspiration and another thing that I need to get done, in order to prove that I can still do and keep going.”
Since moving down to flyweight, Nong-O has caught his second wind. He defeated #4-ranked flyweight contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai via unanimous decision in their rematch at ONE Fight Night 31 this past May, avenging an earlier loss.
That victory thrust him into World Title contention — exactly where he envisioned he would be when he changed weight classes.
The Thai tactician knew in his heart that he would one day cross paths with Rodtang, the division’s former king. After reigning for five years, “The Iron Man” lost the belt on the scales in November 2024 but has come roaring back to demolish Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa in just 80 seconds at ONE 172.
Now, destiny has arrived for both warriors:
“I feel really excited and happy to be fighting with Rodtang. Since I reduced my weight, I actually wanted to be a champion. Now that we are matched up, I’m really excited about this because Rodtang is globally famous.
“From my view, I have been through so many wars. I am highly experienced. Rodtang is a famous star who has his hunger for victory. When experience is against hunger, I am sure that this fight is going to be really entertaining.”
Defeating the biggest Muay Thai star of this generation would make everything Nong-O has sacrificed worth it. More than anything, it would prove he can still compete at the highest level of the sport, despite his age.
This fight represents a very personal quest for the former Lumpinee Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium World Champion:
“There are many other legendary fighters. But there’s one thing that I consider if I win in this upcoming fight, is that I would be very proud of myself for being at this age, and I still have it.”
Nong-O Still Has More To Give
Most fighters Nong-O Hama’s age have hung up their gloves and ridden into the sunset. While he fully enjoys his role as mentor to the next generation at Superbon Training Camp, the veteran remains committed to pouring his energy into his legendary career.
The Thai icon’s motivation runs deeper than just golden belts or money. He wants to continue fighting, not out of necessity, but out of passion.
The former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai king explained:
“My inspiration is still my family. But inside of me, I still want to fight. I don’t want to stop yet. So, I keep going.
“After such a long journey of fighting, a long, long [time]. This upcoming fight is going to show if a senior fighter can still fight at this level.”
Some see the 38-year-old as the underdog against a younger and more explosive striker in Rodtang, but Nong-O will do his best to rewrite the script. He believes this won’t be a passing of the torch — it’s him proving his star still shines bright to this day.
When the final bell rings at Ariake Arena, Nong-O wants the world to remember one thing:
“Being a [two-division] champion would mean so much. First, I get to fight with a superstar like Rodtang. Personally, winning a championship when you are in your late 30s is glorious.
“I would like the world to remember me as a fighter — a fighter who works hard, who is determined, despite his age.”
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