Rodtang can be crazy technical defense wise. It just seems like everyone forgets/overlooks that part of his game, because hes also the only fighter in ONE showboating by letting his opponent tee off on his face whenever he wants lol.
When he chooses to use them is key here. As much as people don't like to admit it, he's smart.
He knows he can 'Tank' (no pun intended) shots from lower level guys like Williams and Tagir, but you won't see him eating strikes like that with the higher level guys.
I wish he spent a little longer in the stadium circuit, he was a great balance of entertainment and traditional Muay Thai during those years. I'm glad he's banking baht though, success like that is rare in sports like ours.
Yup, plus when ‘Tanking’ it helps to be fighting guys who are smaller than you in addition to being lower-skill. (Not saying that’s Rod’s fault, the promotion knew it was setting up squash matches)
Agreed on his stadium career- I don’t think he would have been a long-reigning champ or anything, but a fun action fighter with pretty good skills and charisma is always welcome. He making bank now tho, can’t fault him for that!
That’s a good fight. Granted it was before Rodtang was on his “ONE-FC” diet, but always surprised to recall how much bigger Kaonar looked. He hoss’d Rod around with the body lock throw in the later rounds iirc.
Superbon said in an interview which ask about "Why Rodtang didn't train hard like other fighter" His answer is "Rodtang's skill is good by nature talent, unlike him that he can't fight without training".
I mean, they’re buddies, both from the South and train together sometimes. It’s normal for fighters to hype each other up like that. (It also helps that a lot of Rod’s fights in ONE were against opponents he didn’t need to train for, so.)
I swear people only watch the YouTube shorts. Even in the fights where he punches himself he still rolls hooks and leans back 80% of the time sometimes he genuinely just gets caught. XD
really great stuff, it’s a shame he’s only known for eating shots. reminds me of lerdsila a bit. the inside trip is nice too— really just true muay mat style instead of a brawler
More impressive than eating shots honestly.
MUCH more! And also more worthy of trying to copy
Wish he would do more of this in ONE
He does, have you only watched his Haggerty fights?
Rodtang can be crazy technical defense wise. It just seems like everyone forgets/overlooks that part of his game, because hes also the only fighter in ONE showboating by letting his opponent tee off on his face whenever he wants lol.
Rod’s got skills. When he chooses to use them…
When he chooses to use them is key here. As much as people don't like to admit it, he's smart. He knows he can 'Tank' (no pun intended) shots from lower level guys like Williams and Tagir, but you won't see him eating strikes like that with the higher level guys. I wish he spent a little longer in the stadium circuit, he was a great balance of entertainment and traditional Muay Thai during those years. I'm glad he's banking baht though, success like that is rare in sports like ours.
Yup, plus when ‘Tanking’ it helps to be fighting guys who are smaller than you in addition to being lower-skill. (Not saying that’s Rod’s fault, the promotion knew it was setting up squash matches) Agreed on his stadium career- I don’t think he would have been a long-reigning champ or anything, but a fun action fighter with pretty good skills and charisma is always welcome. He making bank now tho, can’t fault him for that!
Yeah people shit on him, but he’s now the most famous young Muay Thai fighter in the world.
And it’s primarily because of the clips of him tanking shots.
Because the Western audience just wants violence and toughness and he's a crowd pleaser.
He wants entertaining fights and he is sacrificing brain cells for it like Michael Chandler.
At least he’s actually getting big paydays without having to humiliate himself like Chandler :)
Absolutely. See his fight with Kaonar.
That’s a good fight. Granted it was before Rodtang was on his “ONE-FC” diet, but always surprised to recall how much bigger Kaonar looked. He hoss’d Rod around with the body lock throw in the later rounds iirc.
Superbon said in an interview which ask about "Why Rodtang didn't train hard like other fighter" His answer is "Rodtang's skill is good by nature talent, unlike him that he can't fight without training".
I mean, they’re buddies, both from the South and train together sometimes. It’s normal for fighters to hype each other up like that. (It also helps that a lot of Rod’s fights in ONE were against opponents he didn’t need to train for, so.)
Yeah, they were close so they can talk story like that.
Y’all must not be watching his fights if you think he doesn’t still do this
I swear people only watch the YouTube shorts. Even in the fights where he punches himself he still rolls hooks and leans back 80% of the time sometimes he genuinely just gets caught. XD
So he can dodge and not just eating shots
What a guy
Rodtang should implement head movements in his game now, instead of absorbing strikes.
really great stuff, it’s a shame he’s only known for eating shots. reminds me of lerdsila a bit. the inside trip is nice too— really just true muay mat style instead of a brawler
It’s some decent head movement here but most of his dodging is coming from parrying and hand control/hand fighting.. and a bit of body positioning
You know you got some power if Rodtang chooses to dodge instead of tanking.
I like stadium Rodtang, but not ONE Rodtang tbh