‘It’s A Father-And-Son Thing’ – Inside Rodtang’s Life Away From The Spotlight
The former flyweight Muay Thai king explains how baby Zlatan changed his daily rhythm.
By Fachrul Sidiq
Oct 14, 2025, 02:23 UTC
For years, Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon has been a storm inside the ring – a blur of elbows, punches, and relentless will that few opponents have weathered.
But outside those ropes, Thailand’s beloved Muay Thai warrior has entered a new kind of battle. It’s one built not on pain or pride, but on patience and love.
In July 2025, the 28-year-old megastar and his wife, Aida Looksaikongdin, welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Zlatan.
As he prepares to compete at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 against Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title – a belt he once held – Rodtang admits that fatherhood has reshaped everything, from the way he trains to the way he sees the world.
“The Iron Man” said:
“My baby turned 2 months old recently. His name is Zlatan.
“I like everything about it. It’s a father-and-son thing and, I mean, I like kids. I love playing with them.”
Fatherhood didn’t just add a new chapter to his life. It softened his perspective.
Born into an impoverished family in Phatthalung, Thailand, Rodtang learned to fight before he learned to rest. He stepped into the ring as a boy to change his family’s fortunes and never looked back. That iron spirit carried him across the globe, where over 300 bouts made his name for aggression, durability, and showmanship.
But these days, the same fighter who once chased only the next challenge now takes pride in sharing, making sure everyone gets the same slice of joy:
“I have nephews and nieces. I love all of them, two dozen of them.
“When we go to 7-ELEVEN, we all go together. If I buy one a toy, everyone else needs to get one. It’s happiness.”
When he’s away from the roar of stadiums and arenas and the glare of the global spotlight, Rodtang’s favorite escape has nothing to do with combat – it’s soccer. He plays several times a week to clear his mind and reconnect with fun.
It’s a sport he plans to share with his son, not as a career path, but as a bridge between the worlds of the fighter and the father.
The pride of Thailand said:
“I like playing soccer. I want to bring him. I like [Muay Thai] and I want to bring him to the gym, or do whatever he is interested in to spend time together.”
Since becoming a father, he hasn’t slowed down. If anything, it has given him more purpose to fight for something bigger than himself.
The six-time ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion keeps the same hard habits. What changed is why he does them.
He offered:
“Having a child now, I understand the perspective of a father, as well as how to be present to my child.
“Those who really know me would know how down-to-earth I am.”
Rodtang Explains The Inspiration Behind His Son’s Name
The name Zlatan came from admiration. A lifelong soccer fan, Rodtang Jitmuangnon often spends his downtime on the pitch rather than in the gym.
And among all the stars he’s watched, one stood above the rest.
He explained:
“Regarding my son’s name, I grew up during Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s prime time. I was working a bad job back then. I watched him play with my boss and I admired him. With his character and style, he was a God to me.
“I do like [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, and everyone else. But this guy’s specific lifestyle – he could be cheeky and really aggressive in his performance.”
A Swedish football legend with over two decades at the game’s highest level, Ibrahimovic was known not only for his record-breaking goals but also for his unorthodox flair – leaping volleys, spinning kicks, and fearless creativity inspired by his background as a black belt in taekwondo.
That martial arts foundation shaped the eccentric, acrobatic style that made him one of football’s most distinctive strikers.
Like Ibrahimovic, Rodtang built his reputation on confidence – bold, expressive, and sometimes misunderstood. Both men blur the line between art and attitude.
And in naming his son after the Swedish icon, Rodtang wasn’t just choosing a name. He was passing down a mindset that celebrates individuality, courage, and joy.
When asked if he’s already thought about names for future children, he chuckled. Half serious, half playful, he answered with the same grin he’d show after trading blows in a fight:
“If I had a daughter, I would name her Moana.”
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