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Japanese kickboxing legend Takeru Segawa can't wait to make his second appearance on martial arts' biggest global stage.
After delivering an instant classic against Superlek Kiatmoo9 in January, 'The Natural Born Crusher' returns for a highly anticipated showdown with 19-year-old sensation Thant Zin. The two scrappers will feature as part of a loaded ONE Friday Fights 81 card emanating from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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Recently, the seven-time K-1 world champion caught up with the South China Morning Post to discuss his upcoming clash with Thant and how he's feeling days away from his highly anticipated return.
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“I am very happy and grateful to be back in the ONE ring," Takeru said. "I am in America and going to get in perfect shape.”
The former ISKA kickboxing world champion boasts an impressive 43-4 record with 25 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Under the K-1 banner, the Yonago, Japan native made history as the promotion's only three-division titleholder.
Takeru gunning for a knockout at ONE Friday Fights 81
Standing in Takeru's way of his first ONE Championship victory will be Thant Zin, a native of Myanmar who has looked nothing short of spectacular in his first two appearances with the promotion.
Making his ONE debut in February, the Taw Win Ayeyar Club product scored a second-round TKO over Jaising Sitnayokpunsak. He followed that up with a 74-second knockout of Tai Sor Jor Piek Uthai at ONE Friday Fights 76 in August.
But with all due respect to both Jaising and Tai, neither of them pose the kind of threat that 'The Natural Born Crusher' brings to every ring he steps inside of.
"I want to make it the most exciting fight of the event and to win by KO," Takeru added.
ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live and exclusively on pay-per-view on Friday, September 27, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. You can purchase the event exclusively on the official ONE Championship website.
