Tinnakorn Srisawat (Thai: ทินกร ศรีสวัสดิ์; born July 23, 1997), known professionally as Rodtang Jitmuangnon (Thai: รถถัง จิตรเมืองนนท์) is a Thai professional Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer. Known as 'The Iron Man', he is one of the most popular Muay Thai fighters in the world.[1] Born in Pa Phayom, Rodtang started training Muay Thai at the age of 7 and debuted professionally at the age of 10.[2][3] In 2016, he won the vacant Max Muay Thai 125 lb title. The following year, he won the vacant Omnoi Stadium Super Featherweight (130 lbs) title. In 2019, he won the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship when he beat Jonathan Haggerty.
A Muay Mat stylist, Rodtang is known for his forward pressure, heavy hands, and aggressive fighting style.[4] He is one of the highest-paid Muay Thai fighters in the world.[5][6] Outside his competitive fighting career, Rodtang is the brand ambassador of several companies, including the Malaysian brand Amar Amran and Eminers.[7][8]
Biography
Rodtang had his first Muay Thai fight at the age of 8 to make money and help his family. At 14, he moved to Bangkok to join the Jitmuangnon gym.[9]
On January 2, 2016, Rodtang won his first Muay Thai title when he defeated Petchprakan Kor. Klanbut by decision to claim the MAX Muay Thai 125 lb Championship. On February 6, 2016, he successfully defended his MAX 125 lb title belt against Petchprakan, winning by decision once again.
On July 29, 2017, he defeated Chai Sor Jor Toypadriew to win the vacant Omnoi Stadium 130 lb title. Rodtang retained the title on April 28, 2018 by defeating Phetnamngam Aor Kwanmuang.
On June 16, 2018, Rodtang faced Japanese kickboxing superstar Tenshin Nasukawa under kickboxing rules at Rise 125 in Tokyo, the fight was very exciting and contested. The judges gave a draw after 5 rounds and an extra round had to be fought, Rodtang lost that round and the fight but some observers thought he had done enough to get the win prior to that.[10]
In August 2018, Rodtang faced Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi. This fight would later be elected Rajadamnern Stadium Best Fight of the Year.[11]
Throughout 2017 and 2018, Rodtang went on a 10-fight winning streak in the stadiums which culminated in a fight against Rungkit Morbeskamala for the vacant Rajadamnern 130 lb title. Rodtang lost by decision.[12]
On August 16, 2019, Rodtang faced Saeksan Or. Kwanmuang in the Songkhla Province, the fight was deemed underwhelming considering the fight style of the two participants. The rematch a month later was the back and forth war fans expected and received the award for Fight of the year at Rajadamnern Stadium.
On January 31, 2020, Rodtang faced Yodlekpet Or. Pitisak in the biggest Muay Thai card of the year in Phuket. Despite a size differential and a side bet of 1 million baht from the Teeded99 camp in play, Rodtang dominated his opponent and won a clear decision against arguably one of his best opponents yet.
He was able to avenge his loss to Kaonar in a rematch at the R1 UFA event held in World Siam Stadium on October 5, 2020, winning the five-round decision.
On November 24, 2020, Yokkao founder, Philip Villa, announced on Instagram that Rodtang had signed a three-year sponsorship deal with his Muay Thai brand.[13][14] His camp mate, Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon also signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the brand.[15]
Rodtang has been signed with Fairtex March 2023.
ONE Championship
After signing with ONE Championship, Rodtang made his ONE Super Series debut against Sergio Wielzen on September 22, 2018 at ONE Championship: Conquest of Heroes in Jakarta. He defeated Wielzen by unanimous decision.[16]
ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion
On August 2, 2019 at ONE Championship: Dawn of Heroes in Manila, Rodtang faced Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship after Haggerty previously called him out at ONE Championship: For Honor.[17] After a slow start to the fight, Rodtang knocked Haggerty down in the fourth round and went on to win the fight by unanimous decision, also being crowned the new ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion.[18] In his first title defense, Rodtang defeated Walter Goncalves by split decision at ONE Championship: Century on October 13, 2019.[19]
Rodtang then made his second title defense of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship in a rematch against Jonathan Haggerty at ONE Championship: A New Tomorrow on January 10, 2020.[20] In a fight where he floored Haggerty a total of 4 times, including a liver shot in the first round, Rodtang went on to retain his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Title with a third-round TKO victory after delivering 3 knockdowns in that same round.[21]
Rodtang next faced Petchdam Petchyindee Academy for a third time as he is scheduled to defend the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship a third time at ONE Championship: No Surrender on July 31, 2020.[22] He defeated Petchdam and retained the title by majority decision after five rounds.[23]
On October 5, 2020, Rodtang faced Kaonar P.K.SaenchaiMuaythaiGym in a rematch which was arranged to raise money for charity. Rodtang won the fight via unanimous decision.[24]
A tenured Muay Thai fighter, Rodtang was scheduled to make his kickboxing debut against Alejandro Rivas at ONE Championship: Fists Of Fury on February 26, 2021.[25][26] Rivas was later replaced by Tagir Khalilov, whom Rodtang beat by split decision.[27]
He was expected to face Jacob Smith at ONE on TNT 1 on April 7, 2021.[28] However, Smith was later pulled from the fight and replaced with Danial Williams.[29] Rodtang defeated Williams by unanimous decision.[30]
Special-rules fight with Demetrious Johnson
On September 15, 2021, it was announced that Rodtang would face the former UFC Flyweight Champion and 2019 ONE Flyweight Grand-Prix Champion, Demetrious Johnson. The fight was scheduled to take place on December 5, 2021 under special rules, and headlined the ONE: X event. Rounds 1 and 3 were contested under the ONE Muay Thai ruleset, and rounds 2 and 4 were contested under the ONE MMA ruleset.[31] However, due to the pandemic shutdowns, the event was rescheduled for March 26, 2022.[32] Rodtang lost the bout after being choked unconscious via a rear-naked choke in the second round.[33]
Rodtang was expected to face Savvas Michael in the tournament semifinals at ONE on Prime Video 1 on August 27, 2022.[37] Two days before the bout was supposed to take place, Rodtang failed to provide a sample for a mandatory hydration test and was not permitted to weigh in. Rodtang withdrew from the fight on August 25, due to illness.[38]
Rodtang was scheduled to face Daniel Puertas in a kickboxing match on January 14, 2023, at ONE on Prime Video 6.[42] However, Puertas faced Superlek Kiatmuu9 for the vacant ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship and Rodtang instead faced Jiduo Yibu.[43] At weigh-ins, Rodtang weighed in at 136.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the flyweight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Rodtang fined 20% of his purse, which went to his opponent Yibu.[44] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[45]
Rodtang defended his title against Edgar Tabares on May 5, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 10.[48] He defeated Tabares in the second round by KO via elbow. The win earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.[49]
Rodtang faced Denis Purić in a Kickboxing bout on June 8, 2024, at ONE 167.[54] At the weigh ins, Rodtang weighed in at 141.25 pounds, 6.25 pounds over the flyweight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 25 percent of his purse which went to Purić.[55] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[56]
In the sixth title defense, Rodtang faced Jacob Smith in a rematch on November 9, 2024, at ONE 169.[57] At the weigh-ins, Rodtang weighed in at 135.5 pounds, 0.5 pounds over the limit. As a result, Rodtang was stripped of the title and only Smith was eligible to win it.[58] He won the fight via unanimous decision and the title remains vacant.[59]
The match between Rodtang and Takeru Segawa in a kickboxing superfight will be rescheduled on March 23, 2025, at ONE 172.[60]
Personal life
Rodtang previously dated former ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion and Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Stamp Fairtex.[61] In February 2023, he married fellow fighter Aida Looksaikongdin.[62] Rodtang was ordained a Buddhist monk a month earlier, but shortly after the wedding announced he had converted to Islam, the same religion as Aida.[62]
