Rodtang Jitmuangnon is nearing the day he has waited for on Sunday, March 23. At ONE 172 inside the Saitama Super Arena, “The Iron Man” finally meets Takeru Segawa in ONE Championship’s return to Japan. Although the matchup brings him much enjoyment, he is also the most intense he has ever been.
“When Takeru lost to Superlek [Kiatmoo9], he said in an interview that it made him feel like he was dying alive. So in this fight, I will be the one to bury him six feet under,” Rodtang stated to ONE.
Rodtang vs Takeru – Overdue!
The two outstanding strikers have been teasing a matchup for years. In 2024, the long-awaited contest was scheduled to happen until an injury forced Rodtang off the card. The year since has given the two athletes time to better prepare for the impending war.
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Rodtang has always been complimentary of the Japanese star’s skills. As ONE 172 nears, he focuses on his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. He is betting that he can take advantage of porous defense to impose his will with unrelenting aggression.
“Takeru’s most dangerous weapons are his unpredictable and unorthodox attacks – and his Bushido spirit. He was truly born to fight. Everyone knows what his weakness is – his defense is poor. Although he is durable, when he attacks, he neglects his defense. He proved that in his fights with Superlek and Thant Zin,” the Thai superstar said.
The main event super-fight is sure to thrill with two martial arts stars who never back down. The Thai phenom is guaranteeing excitement for fans around the world. “The Iron Man” plans to meet Takeru’s all-out offense head-on on March 23.
“Takeru said he would fight as if it’s his last fight, and he came to ONE to fight me, so I am really happy to respond to him. This fight is going to be a barnburner. Everyone will definitely enjoy it,” Rodtang promised.
The recent talk of winding his career down has made each Takeru fight more special. However, that lingering question weighs on his Thai rival. Rodtang is just as much of a fan as others and wants to see “The Natural Born Crusher” continue after ONE 172.
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“If I were really going to be the last one who fights Takeru and he’ll retire, I’ll forever blame myself and never forgive myself. [Beating] him painfully in his last match would not be nice. I’ll let him live on in this industry, trying to find victory, before he quits it himself,” the former flyweight king said.
No matter the all of the talk from his upcoming foe, Rodtang is finding motivation in his words. The former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion is not going to relent just for a feel-good story. Rodtang will make sure he puts forth his best effort to grab his most prominent victory to date.
“The fact that Takeru said in an interview that if he manages to beat me, it would be his bonus and that he’ll retire from the sport – I think that’s bull. It’s not a real bonus, man. I’m not a kind of cheap snack that he can chew on and talk smack about. Try me first, and he will find the answer. That’s it,” Rodtang offered.
ONE 172 airs live on Sunday, March 23, at 3 a.m. ET/midnight PT. The action hails from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The event is available to purchase on global pay-per-view via watch.onefc.com.
