Filipino MMA fighter Lito Adiwang is not a firm believer in Takeru Segawa's chances in a possible showdown against Rodtang Jitmuangnon. He said that the Thai superstar will be too much to handle even for a fighter like the Japanese legend, especially if it is in Muay Thai.
'Thunder Kid' shared this in an interview with Sportskeeda MMA when asked for his thoughts on the planned joust between 'The Iron Man' and 'The Natural Born Crusher' in ONE Championship.
Adiwang said:
"If it happens under Muay Thai rules. Rodtang is going to cripple him. His fight IQ in Muay Thai with those knees, and elbows, he can use those to counter Takeru's boxing."
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
A possible Rodtang-Takeru match was further hyped up at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Sept. 27 when the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion made an appearance in the ring following Takeru's victory, which ended with the two facing off with each other and setting up a potential super fight.
Rodtang to defend ONE flyweight Muay Thai gold at ONE 169
As he sets his sights on a possible showdown with Takeru Segawa in the near future, Rodtang Jitmuangnon will first defend the ONE flyweight Muay Thai gold in a rematch with British striker Jacob Smith next month.
'The Iron Man' stakes his belt in the co-headlining match at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Nov. 8 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
It will be Rodtang's first defense of the flyweight Muay Thai world title since he defeated Mexican challenger Edgar Taberes by knockout in their title fight in May 2023 in the United States.
The Jitmuangnon Gym standout enters ONE 169 off a decision victory over Bosnian-Canadian fighter Denis Puric in June in their catchweight kickboxing joust.
Meanwhile, out to dethrone him in his upcoming fight is Smith, who the Thai superstar faced and defeated by decision in May 2022 in a ONE flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix quarterfinal match.
ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug will be aired live and for free at U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.