Rodtang vs. Takeru: A Clash Of Champions

One Muay Thai Flyweight superstar, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, is set to face Japan’s kickboxing superstar, Takeru Segawa, in a Flyweight Kickboxing super-fight on March 23 at ONE 172 in Japan’s Saitama Super Arena. They are among the world’s best striking athletes, and fight fans can’t wait to see who will prevail in this blockbuster match-up.

But before we get into a world-class striking smoke show yet again, let’s talk about what we can expect in the upcoming ONE Championship Flyweight Kickboxing spectacle.

Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon

Rodtang is one of the best strikers in the world and has been training since he was 7. Growing up, Rodtang was a timid child who avoided conflict and had little interest in training and fighting. This changed when he fought in his first professional Muay Thai bout at age 10, intending to support himself and his family by earning money through competing.

Initially, Rodtang started training in a small camp in Phatthalung, his home province. Later, he began traveling and discovered the iconic Jitmuangnon gym in Bangkok, where he continued to pursue better training. Rodtang then began training full-time in the Jitmuangnon gym to pursue his dreams of becoming a Muay Thai world champion.

On his way to the top of the Muay Thai circuit, Rodtang won the prestigious Omnoi Stadium title twice, compiling over 250 wins in his career before turning 21. In 2019, Rodtang began making waves on the ONE Championship global stage after beating Jonathan Haggerty to claim the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai championship belt.

Rodtang reigned over the Flyweight division for five years, during which his fight antics and in-game showmanship went viral worldwide, making him one of the sport’s most popular superstars.

His fight against Superlek in September 2023 was one of the most iconic Muay Thai fights in the sport’s history, and he is looking to earn his shot at redemption.

Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa

Facing his opponent in the upcoming ONE 172 in Japan, Takeru is fully prepared to prove he’s the best Flyweight kickboxer in the world. Growing up in Yonago City, Japan, Takeru has always been fascinated by the rise of Japan’s kickboxing promotion, K-1. He has always wanted to compete and become one of the stars in the promotion, but the lack of opportunity to train in kickboxing during his childhood hindered him from reaching his martial arts dream, at least initially.

Instead, Takeru took up karate in second grade, and it became a part of his martial arts journey. After failing to reach his professional career goal and becoming a childcare worker, Takeru decided to take a giant leap. He worked multiple jobs to afford a plane ticket and moved to Thailand to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a kickboxing star.

After moving to Thailand, Takeru initially studied Muay Thai and then realized he could make a living competing in combat sports. He climbed up the amateur rankings and carried his success to his professional career. In 2014, Takeru finally made it to K-1.

Many consider him as one of the greatest kickboxers of the modern generation after his unbeaten seven-year streak in K-1, where he became a three-division champion (K-1 Super Featherweight, K-1 Featherweight, and K-1 Super Bantamweight champion).

Last January 2024, he decided to join the ONE Championship fighting roster to take on the world’s greatest strikers. After suffering the same fate as Rodtang after facing Superlek in his ONE Kickboxing debut, Takeru is looking to get past Rodtang and earn his shot yet again against the current Flyweight Kickboxing world champion, Superlek.

After his first defeat on the ONE global stage, he immediately bounced back and defeated his next opponent, Thant Zin, via knockout last September 2024.

A Clash Of Champions

At first, Takeru was set to fight Rodtang in his ONE Championship debut in January 2024. But when Rodtang withdrew from the match-up because of injury, the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion, Superlek, stepped in and won via unanimous decision.

Throughout the match, Superlek used his jabs to set up his low kicks against Takeru, who carried a wide and more bladed kickboxing stance. While Superlek dominated the fight, Takeru almost knocked Superlek out in the third round after going for a body shot. He kept digging, landed a barrage of strikes, and switched to the head as Superlek curled up.    

Nevertheless, Takeru fought until the end of five rounds and has proven that he’s one of the toughest strikers in the game. In an interview, Takeru revealed that his war against Superlek took a toll on him, both physically and mentally, as he fractured his knee in two places after the fight.

Looking back on his fight against Superlek, Takeru learned that he needed to change his approach in his training camps to prime his body for fights. His battle with Superlek made him reevaluate his approach, and he has since focused on optimizing his physical performance. Takeru has become more caring of his body, and being 33, constantly pushing himself to the limit in every fight camp may not be the best strategy and could do him more harm than good.

While Superlek defeated Rodtang in their tightly contested match, he still earned the respect of many fight fans worldwide in a match that could have gone either way. With Rodtang currently on a two-fight win streak, he is looking to get past Takeru and challenge Superlek for the ONE Flyweight title, but this time, under the Kickboxing ruleset.

Rodtang and Takeru suffered the same fate when they faced Superlek. The winner of the match between the two may be their ticket to a potential rematch against the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing champion, Superlek, should he successfully defend his belt against Nabil Anane on the same day.

ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang

ONE 172 is an event to behold for fight fans worldwide. Among the upcoming matches in ONE 172 is Muay Thai star Tawanchai vs Masaaki Noiri of Japan for the interim featherweight Kickboxing World Championship.

Additionally, Superlek will fight and defend his belt on the same card against the 20-year-old rising star Nabil Anane for the Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.

Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu will fight for the Flyweight MMA World Championship. MMA legends Eduard Folayang and Shinya Aoki will fight again, with Eduard looking to settle the score.

Make sure you don’t miss the thrill of ONE 172: Takeru vs Rodtang on March 23 in Japan!

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