At just 25 years old, Rodtang Jitmuangnon has just about done it all in Muay Thai, and despite his relative youth, he's been thinking about life after fighting.
For now, however, "The Iron Man" is preparing to make yet another defence of his ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title against Mexico's Edgar Tabares at the sold-out ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson v Moraes III on May 6.
The event is ONE's landmark US on-ground debut at 1stBank Center in Colorado.
Rodtang made headlines earlier this year when he wed his long-time girlfriend Aida.
Like many modern relationships, the martial arts superstar said that their love blossomed over social media.
"I met Aida in 2020. We talked through messages and got closer until we decided to date each other," the Thai fighter said.
Rodtang is a veteran of a staggering 322 professional fights, of which he has won 270.
Having fought for the first time at just eight years old, he has had a storied fight career for an athlete of his age.
The Jitmuangnon Gym representative confessed that the quiet, family life is something he looks forward to.
"I always wanted to live the married life and have a family because I'm getting older. I've been a fighter for a long time," he said.
"You can't stay in this career forever. As a fighter, time is limited for us in this career. I want to live the rest of my life with my happy family."
But before he rides off into the sunset, Rodtang still has lofty goals for his fight career.
He has spoken openly of his desire to capture multiple world titles across the different disciplines that ONE has to offer.
For now, his plans of running his own gym and raising a family drive him to be a better fighter and role model.
"I want to have kids and enjoy a couple's life. And if I can, I will have my own gym for our next generation of fighters," he said.
"Of course, since I have a family now, I must have more determination. And I have an explicit goal to be a role model for my children. I want them to see dad as their idol."
