Rodtang Jitmuangnon emerged victorious in his return to ONE Championship this past weekend, and he showed a rarely seen vulnerable side immediately after getting his hand raised.

At ONE 167: Tawanchai vs Nattawut II on Friday, June 7, “The Iron Man” took part in a three-round war with Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric and took a unanimous decision win in front of an adoring crowd inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon overcomes adversity to secure victory against Denis Puric

Rodtang displayed the incredible speed and power fans have grown to love and expect from him, and he had to step up the aggression when Puric gave him all he could handle.

“The Bosnian Menace” lived up to his name and the declarations he had made before the fight, leaving the flyweight Muay Thai king emotional when speaking about the win in his post-fight interview with ONE commentator Mitch Chilson. “I must say this: it’s almost a year since I last fought. Since my last fight, I had an injury, and I can’t really move myself. I kept this as a secret from many people, and I missed my weight,” Rodtang said.

He further added, “A lot of people have been saying a lot of harsh things to me. And to be back here, I was under a lot of pressure. And to be fighting and to get this victory, I’m very happy, and I’m grateful for all of your support.”

Rodtang calls 0ut Takeru Segawa after the victory

The Thai superstar faced the wrath of fans on social media after he missed the fight’s initially set flyweight limit by six pounds, resulting in the bout having to be changed to a 141.25 catchweight. Rodtang apologized after the weigh-ins, and his relief at winning was evident on Friday night as he was congratulated by his opponent.

With his third straight kickboxing victory in the bag, “The Iron Man” made a stern declaration to the world in the middle of the ONE Championship, and he named who he was coming for next.

“I’m coming back to fighting again,” Rodtang announced. “In the next fight, I want to fight Takeru. Are you ready, Takeru? Let’s go.” Rodtang was supposed to welcome Japanese kickboxing superstar Takeru Segawa to ONE at ONE 165 in Tokyo this past January, but an injury forced him to withdraw. Now that he’s back, there’s little doubt that a battle between the striking pair will be fireworks whenever it gets rescheduled.