ONE Championship brought the heat in its return to Japan on March 23. ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang was an electric evening inside Saitama Super Arena. The night was capped off by a remarkable 80-second KO by Rodtang Jitmuangnon over Takeru Segawa in their flyweight kickboxing super-fight.
ONE 172 Rakes in Big Bucks With Ticket Sales
The night was a success on-ground with a near sell-out of 15,000 fans inside the arena (h/t Bangkok Post). ONE earned over $2 million in ticket sales for the event that featured four World Championship bouts in addition to the massive main event. It was even bigger than the company’s 2024 return to the country for ONE 165.
Hometown Crowd Had Much to Cheer About at ONE 172
Japan got to see favored son Masaaki Noiri upset Tawanchai PK Saenchai to become the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion during ONE 172. The Japanese standout clocked Tawanchai and stayed aggressive to earn a third-round TKO. Japan’s upset knockouts were not limited to kickboxing.
Yuya Wakamatsu culminated his run toward flyweight gold with a first-round TKO win over Adriano Moraes to claim the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship. “Little Piranha” feasted on the Brazilian with brilliant uppercuts and unrelenting pressure. Wakamatsu made good on his promise to defeat Moraes and claim the title in their rematch after failing years ago at ONE X.
In the other title bouts, Phetjeeja defeated Kana Morimoto to retain the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title. Jonathan Di Bella outpointed Sam-A Gaiyanghadao to take home the ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Title. It was a stellar night in Japan with the world’s greatest strikers putting on a show.
Back to Denver After ONE 172 for Summertime Showcase
ONE has had a tremendous start to 2025 and will look to keep things hot as it eyes a return to the U.S. in the summer. ONE 173 hits Denver on Friday, August 1, at the Ball Arena. Already announced is the return of Stamp Fairtex, as she takes on Denice Zamboanga for the undisputed ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship.
ONE 172 can be relived on-demand via watch.onefc.com. Experience every explosive finish for free, including the night’s epic KO from Rodtang. Watch one of 2025’s biggest events at your leisure.
