Inspired by Jonathan Haggerty‘s recent upset win over Nong-O Hama, Edgar Tabares is preparing to cause a major shock of his own at ONE Championship’s debut show on U.S. soil, “ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III” on Prime Video, this May 5.
The Mexican debutant challenges longtime ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon at the sold-out event inside Denver, Colorado’s 1STBANK Center, and he’ll undoubtedly be entering the bout as the underdog.
But that doesn’t mean his skill set should be underestimated, as Tabares has the arsenal to bring the fight to even the most seasoned striker.
Here’s a breakdown of why he may be the man to oust Rodtang from his perch on May 5.
1. He has nothing to lose
Rodtang is one of the biggest superstars in martial arts today.
“The Iron Man” is undefeated in 13 muay Thai and kickboxing contests in ONE, and he features in almost every promotional highlight reel because of his all-action approach to his fights.
Tabares will be making his debut at ONE Fight Night 10, so expectations will be comparatively low compared to his opponent.
Being the underdog can allow a fighter freedom, which Tabares can take advantage of on the night.
2. He can fight
Make no mistake, Tabares will be far from a lamb being led to slaughter on May 5.
The 29-year-old has been a martial arts practitioner since the age of 9 and has been honing his muay Thai skills since his teenage years.
Tabares became the first-ever Mexican to claim the WBC international muay Thai world title in July 2022, and with an imposing professional record of 32-1-5, his skills are not in question.
Many have doubted him in the past, but only one fighter has managed to defeat him – that fact should be kept in mind.
3. The famous Mexican heart
Mexico has a history of producing some of the world’s most famous fighters.
Muay Thai may be relatively unknown in the country compared to its boxing culture, but the same principle applies – Mexican fighters hold no fear.
Tabares has proven himself to be no exception in his career so far. He has thrilled fans on the local scene with his active fighting style and unshakeable toughness.
When the ONE circle door closes on May 5, you can bet that the debuting star will meet Rodtang right in the middle and exchange shots right to the end.
