Takeru Segawa is counting down the days for his highly anticipated return to action at ONE Friday Fights 81.
The Japanese kickboxing legend returns from his months-long injury layoff to face Thai slugger Black Panther in a flyweight kickboxing bout at ONE Friday Fights 81 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium on September 27.
Takeru has been working hard at Boxing Works and looks as sharp as ever heading into his matchup against Black Panther in Bangkok.
Taking to Instagram, Takeru Segawa showed off his recent pad work session with trainer Sef Ramos in the California gym.
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Takeru wrote:
"One month left until the match 🔥🔥🔥"
The three-division K-1 Kickboxing world champion had a bittersweet ONE Championship debut when he challenged Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title at ONE 165 in January this year.
In front of his hometown fans at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Takeru unleashed his trademark spirit against the Thai megastar.
Takeru almost had a near-finish in the third round when he battered Superlek with a furious flurry, but 'The Kicking Machine' miraculously survived the onslaught.
Superlek's constant pressure and incessant leg kicks ultimately led him to the unanimous decision win to retain his gold. As for Takeru, he suffered multiple muscle tears in his left leg and had to undergo strenuous recovery to return to peak fight shape.
Takeru now looks to bounce back at ONE Friday Fights 81 and restart his march for a potential world title shot in ONE Championship.
ONE Friday Fights 81 is available live on pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.
Takeru Segawa says he's close to the flyweight limit ahead of highly anticipated return
A month before he makes his way to the ONE Championship ring, Takeru Segawa revealed he's getting close to the promotion's flyweight limit.
Takeru posted on Instagram that he's getting into peak shape and alluded that he would have no problems making the 135-pound limit at ONE Friday Fights 81.
He wrote:
"Getting pretty squeezed 🔥🇺🇸 Just a little bit more to lose weight."