Nong-O Drops Rodtang With High Kick To Reach Grand Prix Semifinals

Nong-O Hama dropped Rodtang Jitmuangnon with a high left kick in the second round and won by unanimous decision to advance to the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix semifinals at The Inner Circle 38 on Friday.

The bout at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok marked the first meeting between the Thai icons after their original title fight at ONE 173 last November fell apart when Rodtang withdrew with illness and Nong-O failed hydration, according to BJPenn.com.

The opening round went evenly as Rodtang worked the body while Nong-O fired kicks from both stances. Rodtang pressed the action early in the second before the 40-year-old Evolve MMA fighter landed an elbow and then the high kick that sent The Iron Man to the canvas. Rodtang beat the count but spent the final frame hunting a finish he could not find. Nong-O used clinch work to slow him down and secure the judges' nod.

What Nong-O's Win Means For Grand Prix Picture

The result improved Nong-O to 269-59 and pushed him within one fight of the silver belt and the undisputed ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. The loss was rare for Rodtang, one of the sport's most popular stars.

Elsewhere on the card at Lumpinee, PTT Apichart Farm knocked out Hamza Rachid at 2:37 of the first round despite absorbing a high kick earlier in the frame. Lenny Blasi dropped Adam Benwarwar with a body hook in round one and cruised to a decision. Songpandin Chor Kaewwiset edged Petubon Jitmuangnon by split decision for his fourth straight win.

The Grand Prix semifinals are yet to be scheduled, with Nong-O awaiting his opponent from the remaining quarterfinal matchups.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Nong-O drops Rodtang with high kick to reach Grand Prix semifinals at The Inner Circle 38