Muay Thai may have inspired Rodtang Jitmuangnon to build a better life, but it was a famous footballer who inspired one of the most fearless fighters of our generation and his wife Aida Looksaikongdin to name their son.
The 28-year-old Thai is preparing for his biggest fight yet — a ONE Championship flyweight title fight against Nong-O Hama at ONE 173 on November 16 in Tokyo, Japan. This will be the first time Rodtang competes for a belt as a father.
“My baby turned 2 months old recently. His name is Zlatan,” he said.
When he’s not terrorizing fellow flyweights inside the ring, Rodtang enjoys football. In fact, fans have criticized him for spending more time on the pitch than in the gym. So it’s no surprise he got his son’s name from one of the sport’s most legendary players.
“I grew up during Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s prime time. I was working a bad job back then. I watched him play with my boss and I admired him. With his character and style, he was a God to me,” Rodtang admitted.
“I do like [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, and everyone else. But this guy’s specific lifestyle – he could be cheeky and really aggressive in his performance.”
Cheeky? Aggressive? Sounds a lot like Rodtang himself. Watch any of the flyweight’s fights and you’ll notice that taunting is part of his theatrics.
When opponents clip his chin with a punch, he shuffles his shoulders. When they land clean shots, he slams his fists against his own face. When they go on the back foot, he summons them forward.
Truth be told, though, this is only Rodtang the fighter. The man outside of the ring bears no resemblance.
“Having a child now, I understand the perspective of a father, as well as how to be present to my child. Those who really know me would know how down-to-earth I am,” Rodtang said.
Despite Rodtang’s fanatical feelings for Muay Thai and football, Zlatan won’t be forced into either sport as he learns to walk.
Instead, Rodtang will let Zlatan find his own passions and step into his son’s world when his offspring is ready.
“I like playing soccer. I want to bring him,” he said.
“I like [Muay Thai] and I want to bring him to the gym, or do whatever he is interested in to spend time together.”