Jacob Smith Seeks 2024 Rematch With Rodtang After Triumphant Return From Injury

It took 18 months for Jacob Smith to return for his second outing in ONE Championship, but he certainly made up for the time away. 

Numerous contests were scheduled for the Englishman, but injuries prevented him from competing each time, leaving him stir-crazy. So his one-round demolition of Walter Goncalves at ONE Fight Night 17 on Saturday, December 9th, was deeply satisfying for him.

And after falling short against ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in his promotional debut in May 2022, the Birkenhead brawler wasn’t going to be denied in his return to action.

“I was moving differently, rather than just relying on how tough I am and walking forward in a straight line just like I did against Rodtang. I knew Walter was going to move backwards on the back foot. So what Walter likes to do is Walter likes to step back to give you space to walk into so you walk onto his shots,” Smith professed.

“So every time that he bit on my fakes, I just unloaded a little bit. It was just a matter of time before I finished him.”

Smith’s monumental performance – topped off by the perfect knockout he scored – was the best way he could have ever imagined returning, and it was good enough to bag a US$50,000 bonus. 

His opponent, Goncalves, entered ONE Fight Night 17 as the #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender, so beating him may now put the fiery Scouser in the upper echelon of the stacked division. 

After taking time out over the holidays to spend time with his family, Jacob Smith wants to return to ONE Championship as soon as possible, and he has a special someone in mind as his opponent.

“Well, I’m right up there, aren’t I? I’m #2 now. Obviously, when I’ve got a fight coming up, I’m a fighter first and then a dad second. But now, I just want to be a dad for the month or so, enjoy Christmas, have a good New Year, be a dad, and then come back,” Smith explained. 

“The first quarter of next year, maybe March, April, that would be lovely. Yeah, back on ONE Championship, but in the near future, my Rodtang rematch would be right up my street.”