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Third-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Jacob Smith of the United Kingdom admits he's not entirely sold on the hype surrounding Japanese kickboxing icon 'The Natural Born Crusher' Takeru Segawa.
Segawa joined ONE Championship in January of 2024 behind much fanfare. He is one of the most accomplished flyweight kickboxers in Japanese history and a former champion at K-1.
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But Smith is hardly impressed. He told Sportskeeda MMA in an exclusive interview:
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"I’m not really gonna dwell too much into that. I feel like Takeru is an unbelievable kickboxer. But not really my cup of tea. I mean, it is, yeah, I suppose, I like watching him but I don’t really like doing it too much, kickboxing. I’d rather much throw my elbows and knees and stuff."
Smith and Segawa are in the same division, so it's not too out there if we see them tussle in the future. Perhaps Segawa will get the chance to fire back at Smith in the ring.
'The Natural Born Crusher' debuted against flyweight kickboxing king 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9, losing by a five-round unanimous decision at ONE 165: Superlek vs. Takeru on Prime Video.
He then returned to action just this September at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut, scoring a second-round knockout win over tough Burmese teenager Thant Zin.
Meanwhile, Smith is ready to return to action himself early next month.
Jacob Smith draws world title rematch with Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 169 on Prime Video
The United Kingdom's Jacob Smith is set to square off against former tormentor 'The Iron Man' Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.
The two lock horns at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video, which broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, November 8.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.
