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Nicolas Atkin

The fierce debate continued to rage on Saturday as the scorecards were released for Superlek Kiatmookao’s victory over Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
“The Kicking Machine” took home a unanimous decision over the ONE Championship flyweight Muay Thai king in their non-title catchweight bout at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
But plenty of fans were left upset, insisting that a crucial second-round knockdown for Superlek was actually just a slip from “The Iron Man”.
There was no second guessing from the judges, though, with all three awarding the fight 29-27 to Superlek, with identical scores for each round, as seen in a scorecard given to the Post by ONE officials.

Rodtang vs Superlek scorecards👇
All three judges scored it 29-27 for Superlek.
Identical cards. Each had Rodtang winning 1st round 10-9, 10-8 for Superlek in the 2nd, and 10-9 for Superlek in 3rd.#ONEChampionship #ONEFridayFights34 pic.twitter.com/PIGAbvacvz
— Nicolas Atkin (@NicoSCMP) September 23, 2023

Rodtang got the nod from all three judges for the first round, after opening a nasty cut on his opponent’s forehead which saw the ringside doctor pause the fight to inspect it, and which later required a plethora of stitches to close.
But Superlek then picked up 10-8 scores across the board following the second round, when the referee gave a surprised Rodtang a standing count after he went over in the corner by the ropes.
ONE eyes Rodtang vs Superlek rematch in Qatar, as debate rages over controversy
The champion protested his innocence and came out firing in the third round, with many feeling he did enough to take it – but the judges again all scored it for Superlek.
“I thought Rodtang won the first and third rounds, but the fight was super close,” Chatri told the Post via text message on Saturday.
“It was so close, but I could see either winning, depending on how you saw the first and the third.”

Fans of the hugely popular Rodtang vented their anger on social media.
“Not a knock down, he [Rodtang] got pushed out of balance, and then he successfully dodged the elbow (while already being out of balance) and clearly rolled his ankle while doing this,” one fan wrote in a reply to a post on SCMP Martial Arts’ Instagram page.
“Yes he got kicked in the face, but he was clearly already down, hanging in the ropes, that prevented him from laying on the ground. That kick should not be counted into the scoring any more as Rodtang fell, so no knockdown.”
Many fighters, however, thought the outcome of the fight was not controversial at all.












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A post shared by ONE Championship on SCMP (@scmpmartialarts)



“Superlek’s elbow landed clean on the chin and he went down,” former bantamweight Muay Thai title challenger Liam Harrison, who was a ringside guest at the event, told the Post.
“He rolled his ankle yes, but it was definitely a knockdown,” flyweight Jacob Smith, who lost a decision to Rodtang in 2022, wrote on Instagram. “Was he hurt, no. But it’s 100 per cent a knockdown. Great fight though, one of the very best I have ever seen.”
Frustrated fans may get their wishes for a rematch granted, with Chatri telling the Post after the event he wants a five-round fight with the belt on the line at ONE 165 in Qatar, which is expected to take place in December.
Superlek had missed weight by 5lbs at Thursday’s official checks in Bangkok, causing the fight to be stripped back to a three-round affair with Rodtang’s belt no longer up for grabs.


ONE Fight Night 28: Pranjanchai keen to settle unfinished business with Jon Di Bella

ONE Fight Night 28: Muay Thai icon Nong-O Hama ready for ‘last dance’ – at flyweight

ONE Fight Night 28: what sets Muay Thai, kickboxing champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai apart

ONE Championship: Russell Crowe brings dash of Hollywood magic to end of thrilling ONE 170

ONE Championship

ONE Championship boss Chatri thinks Rodtang ‘won two rounds’ vs Superlek as scorecards stir more debate

Superlek’s hand is raised after his decision victory over Rodtang. Photos: ONE Championship

Superlek knocks Rodtang down in the second round.

ONE Championship: Takeru is left in limbo after Rodtang face-off fail – but still wants kickboxing fight in Tokyo

Takeru Segawa (left) is still looking to debut in ONE against Rodtang Jitmuangnon (right). Photo: Nicolas Atkin/ONE Championship

Takeru Segawa watches on at ONE Friday Fights 34. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship boss Chatri wants Rodtang vs Superlek rematch in Qatar, as debate rages over controversial knockdown

Superlek celebrates his decision win over Rodtang. Photos: ONE Championship

Superlek received stitches to cuts on his head after his win over Rodtang.

ONE Championship Friday Fights 34 results: Superlek beats Rodtang after controversial knockdown

Superlek throws a kick at Rodtang. Photos: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Superlek says he will consider bantamweight move after 5lbs miss for Rodtang fight

Superlek at the ONE Fight Night 12 ceremonial weigh ins in Bangkok. Photos: ONE Championship

Superlek celebrates his won over Tagir Khalilov at ONE Fight Night 12 – for which he also missed weight.

ONE Championship: Superlek misses weight for Rodtang title bout at Friday Fights 34

Superlek Kiatmookao (right) is the early betting underdog against Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Photos: ONE Championship

Superlek at the ONE Fight Night 12 ceremonial weigh ins in Bangkok.

Superlek celebrates his win over Tagir Khalilov at ONE Fight Night 12.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon greets the fans as he heads to the cage at ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver.

Superlek stands over Tagir Khalilov after knocking him down at ONE Fight Night 12.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon celebrates after his victory at ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver.

Sport

Martial Arts

Muay Thai

Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong scores the first and third rounds for Rodtang – but judges saw it differently in Bangkok
All three officials awarded fight 29-27 to Superlek, with identical scores for each round, as ONE boss admits ‘it was super close’


ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong scores first and third rounds for Rodtang – but the judges saw it differently.


ONE Championship boss Chatri thinks Rodtang ‘won two rounds’ vs Superlek as scorecards stir more debate

Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong scores the first and third rounds for Rodtang – but judges saw it differently in Bangkok All three officials awarded fight 29-27 to Superlek, with identical scores for each round, as ONE boss admits ‘it was super close’

Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong scores the first and third rounds for Rodtang – but judges saw it differently in Bangkok

All three officials awarded fight 29-27 to Superlek, with identical scores for each round, as ONE boss admits ‘it was super close’