The much-anticipated main event between Rodtang and Takeru came to a brutal and swift conclusion. After an opening minute of feeling out, Rodtang cornered Takeru, only to absorb a flush right hand that didn’t budge him an inch. Without hesitation, he fired back with a sharp left hook that caught Takeru cleanly.
The Japanese fighter collapsed backward, and despite his best efforts to survive the count, he couldn’t get back to his feet in time—securing the first recorded first-round knockout of Rodtang’s career.
NOIRI UPSETS TAWANCHAI
Touted as a 5-1 or 6-1 underdog on many betting sites, Masaaki Noiri shocked the world with a third-round knockout against Thai star Tawanchai. The opening three minutes saw both fighters go back and forth, with Tawanchai generally getting the better of a static Noiri. The former K-1 fighter attempted a similar strategy to his last fight, targeting his opponent’s calves.
In the second round, Tawanchai found his rhythm, landing a mix of heavy kicks and sharp punches to keep Noiri on the back foot. As the round came to a close, Noiri connected with a heavy right hook while Tawanchai was backed against the ropes—a sign of more to come.
Sensing an opportunity, Noiri increased the pressure at the start of the third round and finally found success. After digging deep to the body, he went upstairs with a hook, landing clean and dropping Tawanchai to the canvas. In a sequence eerily reminiscent of his 2020 loss to Jia Aoqi, Tawanchai was overwhelmed by a relentless flurry of punches, forcing the referee to intervene.
With the interim belt now around his waist, Noiri is next in line to challenge reigning champion Superbon.
JONATHAN DI BELLA BACK WITH HIS BELT
Jonathan Di Bella dominated his fight with Sam-A for five full rounds, showcasing his exquisite boxing skills on his way to a unanimous decision. The victory dispelled any rumors of his supposed weakness against Muay Thai stylists.
In a battle of southpaws, Di Bella consistently neutralized Sam-A’s signature roundhouse kicks, expertly countering and dictating the pace. Though Sam-A troubled Di Bella with sharp low kicks and precise blocks himself, Di Bella proved he remains the No. 1 contender in ONE's strawweight division scoring 50-45 across the board.
HYU: THE RISING STAR
With a first-round flying knee knockout against Zakaria El Jamari, the young former karate world champion has now secured three consecutive wins in ONE Championship, two of which were finishes.
Hyu seamlessly integrates karate’s striking rhythm and kick techniques into kickboxing, overwhelming opponents with his relentless pressure that leaves no room for counterattacks. Today’s quick finish suggests he’ll return to the ring soon. In the post-Takeru era, maybe Hyu will become the new pillar of Japanese kickboxing in the flyweight division.
ONE 172 RESULTS
Rodtang Jitmuangnon def. Takeru Segawa – KO at 1:20 of R1
Masaaki Noiri def. Tawanchai PK Saenchai – TKO at 1:55 of R3
Yuya Wakamatsu def. Adriano Moraes – TKO at 3:39 of R1
Jonathan Di Bella def. Sam-A Gaiyanghadao – Unanimous Decision
Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom def. Kana Morimoto – Unanimous Decision
Nabil Anane def. Superlek Kiatmoo9 – Unanimous Decision
Nadaka Yoshinari def. Rak Erawan – KO at 2:40 of R3
Shinya Aoki def. Eduard Folayang – Submission at 0:53 of R1
Hiroki Akimoto def. John Lineker – Split Decision
Adrian Lee def. Takeharu Ogawa – Submission at 1:03 of R1
Shimon Yoshinari def. Yodlekpet Or Atchariya – Unanimous Decision
Hyu def. Zakaria El Jamari – KO at 2:12 of R1
Ryusei Kumagai def. Suriyanlek Por Yenying – Unanimous Decision
