ONE 173 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on November 16 has achieved exactly that rare alignment with the addition of four contests that represent career-defining moments for eight elite competitors.
The centerpiece matchup features Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon seeking redemption against living legend Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.
For Rodtang, this represents the completion of a journey that began when he was stripped of his championship for missing weight in November 2024.
His devastating 80-second knockout of Takeru Segawa at ONE 172 in March announced his return to form, but this contest against Nong-O carries deeper significance. The 28-year-old Thai superstar must prove his reign wasn’t just a product of favorable circumstances but rather the natural result of ability.
Nong-O brings his own compelling narrative. The 38-year-old veteran dominated the bantamweight division with seven consecutive title defenses, including five knockouts, before seeking new challenges at flyweight.
His recent victory over Kongthoranee Sor Sommai proved his skills translate across weight classes, positioning him to join ONE Championship’s exclusive group of two-division titleholders.
Equally compelling is the rematch between two-division king Christian “The Warrior” Lee and undefeated Turkish sensation Alibeg Rasulov for the ONE lightweight MMA world title.
Their December encounter ended in frustrating fashion via no-contest after an accidental eye poke halted their contest while Lee was controlling the action.
The Singaporean-American carries the pressure of defending his status as ONE Championship’s most dominant force, while Rasulov’s perfect 14-0 record and victory over former king Ok Rae Yoon validates his credentials as a legitimate threat to Lee’s throne.
History awaits in the atomweight division as 10-time Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka faces surging Thai prospect Numsurin Chor Ketwina for the inaugural ONE atomweight Muay Thai world championship. Nadaka’s surgical precision meets Numsurin’s relentless pressure in a stylistic contrast that promises technical excellence.
Completing this quartet, kickboxing icon Marat Grigorian welcomes former K-1 super lightweight champion Rukiya Anpo to ONE Championship in a featherweight kickboxing contest.
Grigorian’s recent knockout streak, including victories over Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong and Abdelali Zahidi, has established him among the division’s elite, while Anpo seeks to make an immediate statement in his promotional debut on home soil.
