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Rodtang Jitmuangnon has pulled out of Sunday’s ONE Championship event against Nong-O Hama, according to officials who stated he informed medical personnel he was feeling unwell after the weigh-ins for ONE 173.

The Thai celebrity was rushed to a nearby hospital for his well-being, just after weighing himself at the Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo Ariake hotel on Saturday afternoon. He is currently receiving treatment and assessment.

Nong-O did not succeed in meeting the hydration requirements during two tries at the ONE 173 weigh-in ceremony.

Furthermore, Nong-O did not meet the required weight. The bout for the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship has been called off, according to officials, and will be set for a later event.

Rodtang had previously met the hydration requirements with only five minutes left in the three-hour testing period. His reading of 1.0078 was announced by ONE chief physician Warren Wang, leading to two fist pumps before he stepped on the scale behind the curtain.

He stopped on the scales, took three deep breaths, and was motivated by nutritionist Peter Miller who kept saying ‘Rodtang strong, Rodtang strong’, before official Ric Auty announced 133.8 pounds.

Miller, who had received acclaim for a late-week recovery many thought was impossible, erupted in celebration as Rodtang seemed to have accomplished a miraculous weight cut. However, the 27-year-old appeared extremely exhausted and displayed minimal emotion beyond relief.

A short time later, Rodtang was surrounded by his team, which comprised a friend and former ONE champion, Aung La N Sang. The festivities didn’t last long. Rodtang started feeling cramps and was taken for medical evaluation, subsequently withdrawing from the match.

His online activity in recent weeks had already sparked rumors, as the ‘Iron Man’ shared a series of enigmatic posts suggesting his dissatisfaction within the production.

In an unexpected turn, Nong-O—widely anticipated to easily go through the process—failed hydration tests on two occasions. The former bantamweight Muay Thai champion had successfully passed hydration checks twice earlier this year at flyweight and mentioned to the Bangkok Post that he felt completely comfortable in the lighter weight class.

If the fight had taken place, only Rodtang would have been qualified to claim the title.

Only another fighter, Rukiya Anpo from Japan, failed to meet the weight requirement. The newcomer achieved a hydration level of 1.0292, exceeding the 1.0250 limit, but then missed the weight at 155.4 pounds. With approximately 40 minutes remaining, he did not come back for a second try.

The situation carried a sense of irony. Anpo had earlier mocked opponent Marat Grigorian about his weight problems following the Armenian’s failure at ONE 172 in Saitama. This led to tension when Kaito declined a catchweight, prompting CEO Chatri Sityodtong to deliver a furious speech during the post-event press conference—later apologizing for his outburst.

Grigorian made sure there was no recurrence on Saturday. For the first time, he joined Miller’s nutrition team, arriving significantly more toned and weighing in effortlessly at 154.2 pounds.

All other fighters on the card successfully made weight, including Superlek, who had issues with hydration at ONE 172 and lost his bantamweight Muay Thai title. This time, he met the requirements easily and will compete against Yuki Yoza in a featherweight kickboxing match.

The card still includes four world title matches, although Rodtang vs Nong-O is now the fourth championship fight to be removed from ONE 173 since it was first announced.

Jonathan Haggerty pulled out at the beginning of the month due to a shoulder injury, leading bantamweight Muay Thai champion Nabil Anane to move up to featherweight for a kickboxing match against newcomer Hiromi Wajima.

The heavyweight MMA champion Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane stepped down following a ‘serious’ car crash in Dubai, whereas the atomweight MMA champion Denice Zamboanga had to pull out in August due to ‘medical reasons’.

Rodtang’s exit intensifies the chaotic lead-up in Tokyo, leaving ONE 173 without its most highly anticipated Muay Thai contest.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).