Joseph “The Hurricane” Lasiri could have opted to rest or defend the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title after grabbing it from Prajanchai PK.Saenchai at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot in May.

But without any immediate options in the division, the Italian-Moroccan star decided to stay active and move up a division to challenge Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai gold.

Their showdown will serve as the co-main event of ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee on Friday, November 18, and Rodtang clearly understands why his upcoming rival took the offer to fight.

Rodtang Jitmuagnon appreciates the spirit of his opponent

“If I were him, I would do the same. There is nothing for him to lose even if he loses that fight. On the contrary, if he wins, he will get a massive reward,” the Jitmuangnon Gym representative said.

READ MORE: “The Game Plan Is To Make Rodtang Angry”- Joseph Lasiri Reveals the Reason Behind His Game Plan for ONE on Prime Video 4

As far as “The Iron Man” sees it, there’s no better way for an athlete or a World Champion to prove themselves other than to compete in any circumstance.

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He even pointed to his MMA and Muay Thai mixed-rules fight with Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson at ONE X in March this year as a perfect example of the warrior spirit.

“It is just like when I accepted to fight with Demetrious Johnson. Although I lost that match, I didn’t feel the loss at all,” the 25-year-old offered. 

“Only because I was willing to take a challenge and risk. But if I had won, I would feel like I had made a great step further.”

Overall, the Thai megastar is excited about his match with Lasiri, and he hopes the strawweight Muay Thai king can perform to the best of his abilities come fight night. 

‘The Iron Man’ is ready to take on the challenge

And though he aims to defend his crown in emphatic fashion, Rodtang applauds “The Hurricane’s” remarkable run to claim the strawweight Muay Thai crown.

“He had already lost to many people in the flyweight division before. So, I think it is his determination to challenge himself to win in this division,” he said. 

That said, “The Iron Man” sees only one outcome in their co-main event tie. And after that occurs, he plans to make his own moves toward a second strap.

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“Everyone has their own goal. I, myself, also have my greater challenge waiting for me. After I defend my gold this time, I’m planning to challenge for the kickboxing gold,” Rodtang said.