ONE heavyweight MMA world champion Oumar Kane has found a kindred spirit in Rodtang Jitmuangnon, and it has nothing to do with weight classes or fighting disciplines. Instead, their bond was forged from poverty, shaped by similar journeys from having nothing to holding ONE Championship gold.
“So you never see a Rodtang fight and be bored, and it’s quite similar, you know, you never watch a ‘Reug Reug’ fight and be bored,” Kane said. “The guy is like on the attack all the time, or inviting the attack onto him. It’s unbelievable to watch.”
That fighting philosophy – constant aggression, relentless entertainment – reflects something deeper about both men. When you’ve grown up with nothing, every opportunity becomes precious, every moment in the spotlight a chance to provide for the people who matter most.
“Rodtang and I were on many of the same cards, and we both come from the same background, growing up with nothing. We grew up in poverty, and we both dedicated our lives to sports and living for our family,” Kane revealed.
The Senegalese fighter, preparing to defend his heavyweight title for the first time in a rematch against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 in Tokyo, understands the weight of representation. He became ONE’s first African-born MMA world champion when he dethroned the previously undefeated Russian at ONE 169, but his connection to Rodtang transcends geographical boundaries.
“So it’s like, I provide everything for my mom the same way Rodtang does. And I think our stories are quite similar, just in different countries,” Kane said. “We both come from adversity to become champions, and we both won milestone fights when we were on the same cards together.”
There’s something poetic about two fighters from opposite ends of the earth – Senegal and Thailand – finding brotherhood through shared struggle. Both men have used their success to lift their families out of the circumstances that once seemed inescapable.
Kane’s admiration for Rodtang extends beyond their similar backgrounds to pure appreciation of the Thai striker’s artistry. When Rodtang demolished Takeru Segawa in just 80 seconds at ONE 172 in March, even Kane was surprised by the speed of destruction.
“We were talking about it before the fight, and we were expecting a five-round war. But it just shows you how good he is. He’s just on another planet to everybody else,” Kane said.
As Kane prepares for his title defense against Malykhin – a rematch with the man whose perfect record he shattered – he hopes to share another card with his unlikely brother-in-arms.
“Hopefully, we’ll be fighting together on the Japan card as well,” Kane said.
