ONE 172 is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated events, headlined by a thrilling 5-round clash between Rodtang and Takeru—two juggernauts from their respective sports. Both fighters rose to the top with a similar all-action approach, and after canceled bouts and year-long callouts, March 23 will finally mark the day they meet. The Beyond Kickboxing staff took the opportunity to break down this can't-miss showdown between the two superstars.
RODTANG BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
I don't think this is so much about Takeru failing to meet expectations as it is about Rodtang fully living up to his. For the first time since the beginning of his ONE tenure, the Thai star looks in phenomenal shape, takes his diet seriously, and trains like he did back in his stadium days. That version of Rodtang is hard to beat, even with his limited kickboxing experience. I wouldn’t put it past Takeru to pull off something dramatic—after all, that’s what he’s all about—but I’ll favor Rodtang by decision. No matter the outcome, we’re in for a special kickboxing fight.
Prediction: Rodtang
- Kevin Strobel
KICKBOXING EXPERIENCE PREVAILS
Takeru’s extreme training methods have definitely been catching up to him and this could definitely cause problems with the extremely durable Rodtang. But if I know anything about Takeru from watching all these years, it is that he has the ability to push through anything. Rodtang, will prove a hard wall to push through, especially since he seems to be training for this fight like in his stadium days. Despite this, due to Rodtang not having tools like elbows or clinch, and Takeru’s experience and heart, I think Takeru will come out on top by decision.
Predicition: Takeru
- Faraaz Nadeem
THAILAND FOR THE WIN
Rodtang looks to be in the best shape since his stadium prime years. This fight feels like the story of one fighter finally stepping into his full potential, going up against an all-time great who's on the decline. While Takeru undoubtedly holds the stronger resume and kickboxing skill sets, and will also fight in his home turf, I believe Rodtang will edge out a closely contested decision victory.
Predicition: Rodtang
- Woradon Jomjinda
TAKERU WILL DOMINATE
Rodtang was never a major stadium champion. He truly found his way in ONE championship 4 oz Muay Thai; his best wins have been against fellow Nak Muays. Despite showing signs of brilliance when kickboxing in RISE against the likes of Tenshin Nasukawa and Yuki Taguchi, these fights were nearly a decade ago; out of his three kickboxing matches in ONE, two were against Muay Thai fighters Denis Puris and Tagir Khalilov. The matchmaking has been brazenly favorable to him, and with him having a hard fight against a fighter like Denis Puric, I just don’t see how he can stand up to Takeru's punches despite seemingly being the better boxer.
On the other Takeru has incredible power that has gotten him knockouts across three divisions at the highest level of kickboxing. He has hurt every opponent he has ever faced, even those who have beaten him. Rodtang has never faced a power punch of this magnitude, and despite the older fighter and struggling initially in ONE, the natural-born crusher lives up to his nickname once he gets read on his opponent. After getting dropped by Thant Zin, he got and, in the second, put a beautiful beat down on the Burmese bruiser.
Overall, Takeru’s resume, power, and ability to effectively throw down with his opponents far more intelligently now will make him the most brutal fight for Rodtang. Rodtang bullies his opponents, but he has never faced anyone like Takeru, even in power.
I predict a dominant decision win for Takeru, where we will see Rodtang drop again, this time in kickboxing.
Predicition: Takeru
- Christian Alvarez
MESSY DECISION FOR TAKERU
Takeru against Rodtang at first glance might be a brawl, but both fighters have skills outside the pocket. Takeru’s angular kicks hurt Superlek and could be trouble for the shorter Rodtang. But Rodtang’s decent kicks, not usually shown in highlight reels, could give the Japanese fighter trouble given the latter’s habit of not blocking kicks.
In the pocket, Rodtang’s chin has perhaps held up better in recent times than Takeru’s. Takeru’s speed will be key in punch exchanges up close. Though Rodtang elects to eat punches I don’t expect him to try that against a serious opponent in Takeru, and we may see more of his defensive acumen that he’s shown in stadium Muay Thai or against Superlek. Despite Rodtang’s highlight reels he has only finished opponents twice in the last five years, so I don’t expect a KO by either up close.
They’ve both fought against Tenshin Nasukawa but at very different times in Tenshin’s career. Tenshin had honed his boxing significantly after the Rodtang bout and he used it to shut out Takeru comfortably.
A huge factor in this fight is the training camp. Rodtang has missed weight several times in recent years and his training regimen hasn’t always been on point. Takeru’s VASILEUS gym has an all-star roster, but the fighter’s love of hard reckless sparring, including with amateur kickboxers or regional MMA fighters out of Southern California is confounding. Takeru might work harder, but it might not be the right training to patch the weaknesses he’s shown in his later age.
My head says Rodtang should win, but my final prediction is that Takeru swarms a slower starting Rodtang, gets staggered on the way in but ultimately wins a messy decision with greater activity.
Predicition: Takeru
- Peter Le
TAKERU IS TOO HITABLE, WIN FOR THE IRONMAN
This is such a great booking. Two swarming punchers meeting, the best of kickboxing facing the best of Muay Thai, champion from K-1 meeting a champion in ONE. A must see, cannot wait for this one.
Takeru is not the fighter we remember from pre-covid. Age does much to affect athletes. The swarming punches he is known for were typically setup for various inside leg kicks and feints, more recently he is skipping steps in this and taking more punishment because of it.
Rodtang tends to struggle against people who mix all the tools in Muay Thai, countering punches with clinching, knees, or leg kicks. ‘The Iron Man’ is happy to meet an inside puncher and scrap.
Takeru is awfully hittable. The man loves to eat punches from Leona Pettas, Tenshin, and even Thant Zin.
Given the age and how open he is to taking strikes, I think Takeru will struggle in this match if Rodtang comes in with training and motivation.
Predicition: Takeru
- Timothy Wheaton
RODTANG LIVING UP TO HIS POTENTIAL
Rodtang is coming into this fight with a more disciplined approach than he has in years, hiring a nutritionist and looking to be in the best shape he's been since entering ONE. Whilst Rodtang hasn't looked the best against middling competition, such as Khalilov and Goncalves, his ceiling is much higher than what he's shown in ONE. Against Superlek and Puric, he showed some real defensive acumen. Particularly against the Bosnian, Rodtang showed a level of evasiveness that suggests that he likely won't just walk in and eat the punches of Takeru in their bout. I think Rodtang is uniquely equipped for dealing with the lead leg kicking game of Takeru, having fought Haggerty twice, who has a similarly varied lead leg kicking game. Whilst Rodtang isn't the biggest puncher in the division, he has a decent ability to crack to the body, having hurt Haggerty and Lasiri with body hooks. As such, if he does hurt Takeru, it will likely be the result of body shots directly or using them to open up the head.
If Takeru can't find a way to hurt Rodtang in some way, he'll be in for a long night because Takeru isn't capable of fighting on the backfoot like Tenshin is. Takeru's willingness to run away from shots by retreating straight back could very well give the opportunities Rodtang needs to put the Japanese fighter on the backfoot and steal the momentum from Takeru during exchanges. Takeru is also very hittable in the pocket, relying on pre-slipping during shots to avoid punches. He's been hurt three times in his career, against Pettas, Tenshin, and Thant Zin. Takeru has also struggled in the past with strong kickers, which if Rodtang were to kick to the body often, would significantly hurt Takeru's chances. Takeru's best chance against Rodtang is to work his lead leg kicking game in conjunction with his volume punching to keep the pressure on Rodtang, especially since Rodtang tends to pull back or dip his head to his rear side as a defensive option rather than actually evading laterally. However, age and injuries have also taken away some of the athletic traits that Takeru used to win fights in the past.
Based on Rodtang's history, I don't think he'll beat Takeru by knockout or TKO, but I think it's very possible that Rodtang can beat Takeru by decision if he lives up to his potential.
Predicition: Rodtang
- Anthony Barry
RODTANG WITH GREATER ACTIVITY
Like most kickboxing fans, I have obviously been looking forward to this fight for a long time. So long, that it feels like matching up these generational talents at these current stages in their respective careers feels as if we got this bout just past its expiration date.
Thankfully, that likely won't affect this fight's entertainment value.
That being said, I think Rodtang will pull off a decision win, and he might even get a knockdown or two. His level of competition may not be deep as of late, but he has the activity edge over Takeru. Takeru also tends to lose balance when he throws hard with volume. In fact, it seems to me like he’s not even looking when throwing and receiving shots once he gets gassed. Rodtang, on the other hand, remains balanced and constantly has his gaze on his opponent, even when throwing absolute hell.
Expect both to smile as they eat each others punches.
Predicition: Takeru
- Michael A.
JAPANESE KICKBOXING ON TOP
If you mostly watch GLORY but are curious about J-Kick, also known as Japanese kickboxing — Trust me when I say that ONE 172 Japan is your event to watch! Some names will sound familiar like former GLORY Lightweight champion Marat Grigorian and former GLORY title challenger Kaito Ono. But if I’m honest, I only say this because I want you guys to watch this event for the main event and OF COURSE I’m talking about Takeru vs Rodtang. This fight has been anticipated since ONE announced they signed Takeru in 2023. Everybody wanted to see the Japanese star versus muay thai phenom Rodtang. After almost 2 years, we finally get to witness this dream matchup.
Although both fighters have vastly different fighting styles (karate/kickboxing vs. Muay Thai), they do have similarities. Both are known for their aggressive fighting style and both do not shy away from receiving punches to deliver punches. The scary part is they smile while doing it. While Takeru has been destroying his opponents in K-1 for years now, in his last 2 fights the 33-year old kickboxer showed holes in his game. Some say he might be past his prime, but Takeru is ready to prove everybody wrong. Rodtang, on the other hand, is still young. He even taunted the veteran by saying: “If Takeru does retire, I would feel very guilty because I’m going to hurt him badly in his final fight.” Big words from the fighter from Thailand. The former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai champion is currently riding a 2-fight win streak and is set to add the name Takeru to his resume.
So who do I think will win this fight? While Rodtang is young, powerful and is able to take a punch, I do think he can be a bit reckless sometimes and I don’t think that’s a very good strategy against a veteran in Takeru. The reason Takeru lost to Superlek, is because Superlek had a great strategy going into the fight. Hurt the legs and not engage in a brawl. This was evident when in round 3, Takeru found the range and started combining punches in the pocket (although it was far too late). While I think Rodtang has the tools and will be a dangerous opponent, I think Takeru’s experience will earn him the victory.
Predicition: Takeru
- Kimball Huwaë
RODTANG IS TOO STRONG
I have a sneaking suspicion that Rodtang might be a terrible matchup for Takeru.
Takeru is a better kickboxer in quite a few ways. He's less hitable, his hands are faster, he's at least as powerful, and he's a better counter puncher. He's no good at fighting backwards though; and when he fought the incredibly durable Wang Junguang, he gave ground willingly and with bad footwork, taking most of his own offense away in the process.
Rodtang actually fights much better on the back foot than on the front foot, in my opinion, so I think giving ground to Takeru would suit him just fine - see his fights with Yodlekpet and Seksan for that kind of performance. If Rodtang drives forward though, he'll eat massive punches, but I think he'll be able to take them and push Takeru around.
Unless a very shopworn Takeru is about to be the man to crack Rodtang’s legendary coconut, I think Rodtang takes this one by decision.
Predicition: Rodtang
- Alex Robertson
