Takeru Segawa says his back is against the wall in must-win fight against Thant Zin: “I absolutely can’t lose two in a row”

Japanese kickboxing legend Takeru Segawa is out for redemption in his scheduled return to action this week after dropping his ONE Championship debut back in January.

'The Natural Born Crusher' is featured at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut on Sept. 27. He is going up against young fighter Thant Zin of Myanmar in a flyweight kickboxing joust at the famed Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

In a conversation with ONE Championship in line with his upcoming fight, Takeru Segawa spoke about how he is approaching the Than Zin fight with a sense of urgency, believing that another defeat would be disastrous to his journey in the "Home of Martial Arts."

The 33-year-old Yonago City native said:

"I joined ONE to aim for being the strongest in the world, so I really want this win. To fight at the top, I absolutely can't lose two in a row after losing the last one."

Takeru had his ONE debut in January at ONE 165 in Tokyo, where he vied for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title against reigning divisional king Superlek Kiatmoo9. While he showcased tremendous heart and skills that made him a multi-titled fighter at K-1, he fell short in his push, losing to 'The Kicking Machine' by unanimous decision.

Meanwhile. out to make it back-to-back losses for the Japanese superstar is Thant Zin, 19, who is undefeated so far in two matches in ONE Championship. Both of his wins were by way of knockout.

Fans in North America can catch the action at ONE Friday Fights 81 via global pay-per-view through watch.onefc.com. For more information on it, visit the ONE Championship website.

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Takeru Segawa excited to compete at Lumpinee Stadium for ONE Friday Fights 81

Takeru Segawa is excited to be competing at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, for his scheduled match at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut on Sept. 27. It is a venue he has high regard for and feel privileged to be competing in.

He spoke about it in an interview with the South China Morning Post ahead of his showdown this week against Myanmar's Thant Zin, saying:

"I fought at Rajadamnern Stadium when I was still in high school, so I am very happy to be able to fight at Lumpinee, another great Hall of Fame venue."

The Takeru-Thant Zin clash is the co-headline showdown at ONE Friday Fights 81 to the main event featuring Thai superstars Superbon and 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut in a featherweight Muay Thai battle.