Rodtang Publicly Apologizes to ONE Championship and Chatri Sityodtong, Clarifies Past Allegations
Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang "The Iron Man" Jitmuangnon has publicly apologized to ONE Championship and its Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
As reported by The Bangkok Post, the 29-year-old Thai megastar posted a lengthy statement on Facebook clarifying and walking back serious allegations he made against the promotion earlier this year, including claims that his signature had been forged on documents.
Following those allegations, ONE Championship filed lawsuits against Rodtang in Singapore, Japan, and Thailand for contract breach.
The public apology comes approximately one week after the promotion announced his re-signing at a ceremony held at Jitmuangnon Gym, attended by Rodtang, his manager Mr. Sorapong Jitsuntorn, ONE Championship Thailand President Mr. Jitinat Asdamongkol, and Rodtang's official management and gym owners Mr. Somjit Waenkaew and "Aeh" Suntaree Lohaphak.
Rodtang Apologizes to Chatri, Vows to Win the ONE World Title Again
Rodtang's statement directed his sincerest regret toward the man at the top of ONE Championship. The Thai fighter did not offer a vague or qualified apology but took direct personal responsibility for the impact his actions had on the organization and its chairman.
"I would like to express my sincere regret and apologise to P'Chatri from the bottom of my heart for any damage or impact I may have caused ONE, especially during the past several months. The best way to prove my sincerity is to come back and win the World Championship again, bringing honor and pride to Thailand and Jitmuangnon Gym," Rodtang said.
Rodtang made his ONE debut in 2018 and went on to become the promotion's most beloved flyweight Muay Thai champion, claiming the title against Jonathan "The General" Haggerty in 2019. The Thai defended it multiple times, but he was stripped of the belt in November 2024 after failing to make weight and pass hydration for his defense against Jacob Smith.
Rodtang Retracts Forgery Claims, Apologizes to ONE Championship's Matchmaking Team
The most significant clarification in Rodtang's statement concerned his earlier allegations about document forgery, one of the most serious claims made during the dispute. He retracted the allegation entirely and extended a specific apology to the ONE Championship staff member most directly affected by it.
"ONE has always paid me more than the amounts stated in my contracts. Not a single person within ONE forged my signature. I sincerely apologise to Timo Ruge, a member of ONE's matchmaking team, for the misunderstanding that occurred," he explained.
The complete retraction of the forgery claim, alongside an acknowledgment that ONE Championship had consistently paid him above contractual amounts, represents a comprehensive reversal of the most damaging allegations made against the promotion.
Thai Megastar Reveals Bad Influences Entered His Life After Fame and Money Arrived
In the most personal section of his statement, Rodtang turned his attention to the circumstances that led to the dispute in the first place. The Thai fighter identified a specific pattern that he believes contributed to his actions and has since taken steps to address.
"It is true that after I began gaining fame and money, many new people came into my life. Among them were several people who did not genuinely wish me well but only wanted to benefit and make money from me. I have now cut ties with them and removed them from my life," he said.
The acknowledgment that outside influences played a role in the dispute gives important context to a chapter of Rodtang's career that neither he nor ONE Championship will look back on fondly.
With a new deal and the bad actors removed from his circle, Rodtang's next chapter at ONE Championship begins with the slate as clean as it has been in some time.
