.png)
As ONE 172 draws closer, Rodtang Jitmuangnon exudes supreme confidence ahead of his long-awaited showdown with Takeru Segawa. Set to take place inside the iconic Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 23, this flyweight kickboxing super-fight pits two of the sport’s most electrifying strikers against one another in a long-anticipated battle.
The fight has been over four years in the making, and with both men eager to cement their legacies, neither is willing to walk away in defeat. Rodtang, the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, is heading into enemy territory with one mission in mind: to crush the former three-division K-1 champion in front of his home crowd.
The last time Takeru fought in Japan, he was originally scheduled to meet Rodtang at ONE 165, but a last-minute injury forced the Thai superstar to withdraw. Instead, Superlek Kiatmoo9 stepped in as a replacement, and after a grueling five-round war, the two-division, two-sport ONE World Champion edged out a narrow decision victory over Takeru.
That loss weighed heavily on the Japanese striker, who later admitted how deeply it affected him. But if he thought that defeat was painful, Rodtang has vowed to take things even further in their upcoming clash.
“When Takeru lost to Superlek, he said in an interview that it made him feel like he was dying alive. So in this fight, I will be the one to bury him six feet under,” Rodtang declared.
He also acknowledged Takeru’s determination but made it clear he was prepared for the challenge.
“Takeru said he would fight as if it’s his last fight, and he came to ONE to fight me, so I am really happy to respond to him. This fight is going to be a barnburner. Everyone will definitely enjoy it.”
Rodtang’s relentless, high-pressure style has overwhelmed many top-tier opponents, including Jonathan Haggerty, Jacob Smith, and Denis Puric. Now, he’s aiming to add Takeru’s name to that list. While he respects Takeru’s durability and offensive prowess, Rodtang believes he has a clear path to victory.
“Everyone knows what his weakness is – his defense is poor. Although he is durable, when he attacks, he neglects his defense. He proved that in his fights with Superlek and Thant Zin.”
With the world watching and tensions at an all-time high, ONE 172’s main event promises to deliver fireworks. The only question is: will Rodtang back up his bold words, or will Takeru defy the odds in his home country?