Dream Match Between ONE Championship's Muay Thai Kings May Happen Soon

ONE Championship’s Muay Thai scene is as deep as ever as evidenced by its stacked roster of competitors in the ONE Super Series, and fans may just be treated to a showdown between two of its brightest stars.

Flyweight king Rodtang Jitmuangnon and strawweight titleholder Prajanchai P.K. Saenchai Muay Thai Gym could be on a collision course in the near future.

Two of Thailand’s best Muay Thai competitors have a burning desire to prove to the world that they are the best at what they do.

At ONE 157, both men are slated to compete on the card, with Italy’s Joseph Lasiri set to challenge Prajanchai’s reign in the co-main event and Rodtang taking on Jacob Smith of the United Kingdom in the quarterfinals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.

“I’m glad to be competing on the same card as those elite Muay Thai fighters. It’s a very big tournament. I wish there will be a Grand Prix in my division in the future, too, so that I will have more opponents to fight,” said Prajanchai.

Rodtang has also been very complimentary of Prajanchai’s unique skillset, even showing off pride in the handiwork of his fellow countryman.

The strawweight Muay Thai titlist is extremely confident in the chances of his compatriot winning the entire tournament, as are most experts, because of his extremely explosive yet calculated fighting style.

However, that does not mean that Prajanchai is not opposed to taking his chances in moving up to flyweight and taking on Rodtang sometime in the near future.

“I want to [move up and challenge for the world title at flyweight], but I’m a very small fighter. I’m not heavy. I think I’m too small for that weight class. So, I’m satisfied to stay here in my current division,” he noted.

In Rodtang’s eyes, Prajanchai will be able to overcome the challenge presented to him by Lasiri.

“I think Prajanchai will win with his speed and because it’s under Muay Thai rules. Prajanchai is very smart. He’s smarter than his opponent," Rodtang stated.

Rodtang has not fought since taking a hybrid mixed martial arts-Muay Thai exhibition against former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at ONE X last March, and now will be his opportunity to remind the division why he still holds the belt.

The flyweight Muay Thai king in Rodtang is holding an unblemished 9-0 record within the promotion, while the newcomer in Prajanchai is gunning for his second win.

Outside of it, Prajanchai has won the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium title on two separate occasions as he won the 118-pound belt in 2014 and 122-pound title in 2019.

But before ONE fans become enamored with the idea of a fight between Rodtang and Prajanchai, both men first need to take care of business this Friday, May 20 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Rodtang faces the debuting Englishman just ahead of Prajanchai's title defense against the veteran Lasiri, who is looking to go on his first winning streak within ONE Championship as he has been reeling from sustaining a win-loss record of 3-6 that featured a four-fight losing streak.

Both men securing a win over their respective opponents would mean that Rodtang advances to the semifinals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix, while Prajanchaikeeps his stranglehold on the strawweight Muay Thai strap.

Seeing them square off against one another would likely happen at the conclusion of the tourney, which allows both men to keep working on their game until they potentially come to a head.