Striking’s top generational talents, Rodtang "The Iron Man" Jitmuangnon and Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa, will throw down in a 5-round kickboxing main event for ONE 172 on March 23 at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Rodtang, the former long-reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion was set to fight the former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru in a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight back in January, but pulled out due to a hand injury. In his place, the division's kickboxing champion, Superlek, stepped in and successfully defended his title against the Japanese fighter in one of the most dramatic championship bouts of the year.
A loss the two stars have in common, and are looking to avenge depending on the outcome of their fight.
Takeru has competed once since his loss to Superlek, delivering a gutsy performance against Burmese kickboxer Thant Zin at ONE Friday Night Fights 81. Despite being knocked down, Takeru rallied to secure a second-round KO victory. Following the bout, Rodtang entered the ring, leading to an intense face-off between the two stars.
The main event of ONE 172 has the potential to be one of the biggest kickboxing fights in recent memory rivaling the hype of “THE MATCH” between Takeru and Tenshin Nasukawa which sold out the Tokyo Dome in 2022.
Since their originally scheduled bout in January, Rodtang and Takeru have experienced their share of ups and downs in 2024, drawing criticism from both fans and fellow fighters. Despite these setbacks, both men hope to settle the score in March of next year.
