Japanese icon Takeru Segawa promises “the greatest showdown” when he takes on Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 172 in Tokyo

Takeru Segawa vowed to put on the fight of his career the next time he steps inside the ONE Championship Circle. The Japanese megastar will face off against Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a massive flyweight kickboxing super-fight in the main event of ONE 172 on March 23, 2025, at the Saitama Super Arena.

Taking to Instagram following the card's press conference, Takeru promised his fans that his matchup against Rodtang will be his magnum opus as a fighter.

Takeru Segawa posted:

"I can finally fight. This match isn't for anyone else. I'll do what I want to do. I'll enjoy the fight to the fullest. I'll have the greatest showdown of my life as a fighter. Please support me! I'll definitely win."

Takeru is, arguably, the greatest Japanese kickboxer in history and is the only fighter to become a three-division K-1 kickboxing world champion.

The 33-year-old captured the K-1 super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight world titles from 2015 to 2018, and also made several defenses of his straps.

In 2023, Takeru signed a multi-fight deal with ONE Championship in a bold move that shook the very foundation of the kickboxing landscape. Takeru's arrival at ONE Championship practically set him up with multiple potential super-fights against the planet's best strikers.

'The Natural Born Crusher' was originally set to debut against Rodtang at ONE 165, but the former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion pulled out of the match after breaking his hand in training camp.

Superlek Kiatmoo9 ultimately stepped in and defended his ONE flyweight kickboxing world title against Takeru in the headlining match of the January 2024 card.

Despite falling short via unanimous decision, Takeru put on an absolute showing at Ariake Arena where he nearly floored Superlek in the third with a blinding flurry.

He's since chalked up a second-round knockout win over Burmese slugger Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81 in September 2024.

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Takeru Segawa has all the respect for Rodtang Jitmuangnon's electrifying style

Much has been said about the stylistic similarities between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa, and the Japanese megastar ultimately echoed those sentiments.

During ONE 172's press conference in Tokyo, Takeru said he and Rodtang have similar offensive styles when fighting. He added that he has nothing but respect for Rodtang's approach.

He said:

"Rodtang is truly strong. While he's known for brawling and intensity, he has incredible technique. He has Muay Thai skills."