ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion Oumar Kane has found common ground with Rodtang Jitmuangnon, citing similar life journeys that led both fighters from poverty to championship gold.
Kane will defend his heavyweight title for the first time in a rematch against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The Senegalese fighter, known as "Reug Reug," has developed a close friendship with the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion after appearing on several cards together throughout their ONE Championship careers.
"Rodtang and I were on many of the same cards, and we both come from the same background, growing up with nothing. We grew up in poverty, and we both dedicated our lives to sports and living for our family," Kane said.
Both fighters have used their success to provide for their families after overcoming difficult circumstances in their respective home countries.
"So it's like, I provide everything for my mom the same way Rodtang does. And I think our stories are quite similar, just in different countries," Kane said. "We both come from adversity to become champions, and we both won milestone fights when we were on the same cards together."
Kane hopes to compete alongside Rodtang again when he faces Malykhin in their rematch. The 33-year-old dethroned the Russian at ONE 169 last year, handing Malykhin his first career loss while becoming ONE's first African-born MMA World Champion.
"Hopefully, we'll be fighting together on the Japan card as well," Kane said.
The heavyweight praised Rodtang's recent performance against Takeru Segawa, where the Thai striker scored a spectacular 80-second knockout at ONE 172 in March.
"No, actually, we were talking about it before the fight, and we were expecting a five-round war. But it just shows you how good he is. He's just on another planet to everybody else," Kane said.
Kane believes he and Rodtang share similar fighting philosophies focused on entertaining fans with aggressive, action-packed performances.
"So you never see a Rodtang fight and be bored, and it's quite similar, you know, you never watch a 'Reug Reug' fight and be bored," Kane said. "The guy is like on the attack all time, or inviting the attack onto him. It's unbelievable to watch."
