Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon has issued a public apology to ONE Championship and its Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, retracting serious allegations he made against the organization earlier this year.
The apology, first reported by Bangkok Post, came in the form of a lengthy statement posted by Rodtang on Facebook.
The timing is significant. The statement arrives nearly two weeks after ONE Championship announced the re-signing of Rodtang at a ceremony held at Jitmuangnon Gym in Thailand, marking what appeared to be a resolution to one of the most turbulent periods in the Thai star's career.
Earlier this year, Rodtang had levelled serious allegations against the organization, including claims that his signature had been forged on certain documents. ONE Championship responded by filing lawsuits against the fighter in Singapore, Japan, and Thailand for contract breach.
In his Facebook statement, Rodtang addressed those allegations directly and without ambiguity.
"ONE has always paid me more than the amounts stated in my contracts. Not a single person within ONE forged my signature," he said.
The 29-year-old also shed light on the circumstances he believes led him to make those allegations in the first place, pointing to the influence of individuals who he now believes did not have his best interests at heart.
"It is true that after I began gaining fame and money, many new people came into my life. Among them were several people who did not genuinely wish me well but only wanted to benefit and make money from me. I have now cut ties with them and removed them from my life," he explained.
Most significantly, Rodtang directed his apology toward Chatri personally, acknowledging the damage his actions may have caused to a relationship built over the years.
"I would like to express my sincere regret and apologise to P'Chatri from the bottom of my heart for any damage or impact I may have caused ONE, especially during the past several months," he added.
Rodtang has made clear how he intends to prove that this reconciliation is genuine.
"The best way to prove my sincerity is to come back and win the [ONE] World Championship again, bringing honor and pride to Thailand and Jitmuangnon Gym," he said.
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