ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon welcomes any challenger willing to step into a fight with him, especially if they’ve earned it. Ahead of his clash against his opponent, let’s have a look at what Jitmuangnon has to say to his opponent.

“The Iron Man” will be back in action on U.S. primetime this Friday, June 7, when he takes on Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric in a flyweight kickboxing battle of ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and he’s raring to go after an extended period on the shelf.

Rodtang acknowledges Denis Puric’s determination and fighting spirit

Puric has been asking for a fight with Rodtang for nearly two years, and the Thai superstar admitted that he respects his upcoming foe’s dedication and hard work in a recent interview with the promotion. “I have known Denis Puric for a long time. Since he first joined ONE, he has been calling for me from the beginning. Thank you for always thinking of me,” Rodtang said.

He further added “I respect him for his determination because it’s really difficult to run through many opponents to reach me. You have to fight to put yourself into the rankings to challenge me. He tried his best and managed to face me. I have to respect his fighting spirit.”

“The Bosnian Menace” has collected back-to-back wins in ONE over the last seven months, and he is now the #2-ranked fighter in the flyweight Muay Thai division.

‘The Iron Man’ praises Puric’s skill and anticipates their upcoming clash

He spoiled Vietnamese veteran Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat’s return to action with a second-round knockout last December and overcame British brawler Jacob Smith via unanimous decision in April to cement himself as a force to be reckoned with.

All the while, Rodtang was never far from Puric’s mouth, and “The Iron Man” revealed that he has been watching the Bosnian-Canadian star throughout his tenure and now deems him worthy of a clash.“Puric built himself up to call me out. It’s his right to do that. He wants to fight with the best. I just waited for ONE’s matchmakers to approve it because I’m ready to fight anyone,” he said.

He further added, “He is very good. He beat Tagir Khalilov and Jacob Smith, so I think he deserves to face me. In his fight with Yodlekpet, I could see this guy is a veteran fighter, and he is more than ready to fight me.”