![Rodtang (left) Takeru (right) [Photo via ONE Championship]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/043f5-17346862341540-1920.jpg)
![Rodtang (left) Takeru (right) [Photo via ONE Championship]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.6666666666667'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The tension between Thailand's Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Japan's Takeru Segawa was palpable as the two faced off during a press conference in Tokyo last Monday, December 16, to promote their highly anticipated showdown.
The pair will meet in a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight, headlining ONE 172 on March 23, 2025, at the iconic Super Saitama Arena.
As Rodtang and Takeru stared each other down, fans and media got a preview of the intensity that will define their clash.
Watch the clip of their faceoff below:
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This isn’t the first time the two superstars have had a tense encounter. Back in September at ONE Friday Fights 81, Takeru called out the Thai sensation after his dramatic victory over Thant Zin.
At that moment, 'The Iron Man' was in attendance for the aforementioned live event, sitting ringside at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
It escalated when Rodtang entered the ring, and the two fighters locked eyes in a heated staredown that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The excitement surrounding this matchup is understandable. It was originally scheduled for ONE 165 earlier this year, but Rodtang had to withdraw due to a hand injury.
With the date now confirmed, both men will have an opportunity to put their differences aside by locking horns.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon guarantees instant classic at ONE 172
Despite some fans’ concerns that the matchup may not live up to the hype, Rodtang Jitmuangnon has promised that the clash will deliver on its immense expectations.
He said:
"I believe we can show everyone the fight they've been waiting for. Please look forward to it."
Meanwhile, Takeru anticipates an all-out war, vowing to leave no stone unturned in his preparation:
"I'm not thinking about anything beyond this fight. I will put everything from my martial arts life into this battle. I expect us to have the greatest striking match where one of us might break, so Rodtang, I look forward to it."
