One Muay Thai Flyweight famous person, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, is about to face Japan’s kickboxing famous person, Takeru Segawa, in a Flyweight Kickboxing super-fight on March 23 at ONE 172 in Japan’s Saitama Tremendous Area. They’re among the many world’s finest putting athletes, and combat followers can’t wait to see who will prevail on this blockbuster match-up.
However earlier than we get right into a world-class putting smoke present but once more, let’s speak about what we are able to anticipate within the upcoming ONE Championship Flyweight Kickboxing spectacle.
Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon
Rodtang is likely one of the finest strikers on the planet and has been coaching since he was 7. Rising up, Rodtang was a timid youngster who prevented battle and had little curiosity in coaching and preventing. This modified when he fought in his first skilled Muay Thai bout at age 10, meaning to assist himself and his household by incomes cash by way of competing.
Initially, Rodtang began coaching in a small camp in Phatthalung, his residence province. Later, he started touring and found the enduring Jitmuangnon fitness center in Bangkok, the place he continued to pursue higher coaching. Rodtang then started coaching full-time within the Jitmuangnon fitness center to pursue his desires of turning into a Muay Thai world champion.
On his strategy to the highest of the Muay Thai circuit, Rodtang received the celebrated Omnoi Stadium title twice, compiling over 250 wins in his profession earlier than turning 21. In 2019, Rodtang started making waves on the ONE Championship international stage after beating Jonathan Haggerty to say the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai championship belt.
Rodtang reigned over the Flyweight division for 5 years, throughout which his combat antics and in-game showmanship went viral worldwide, making him one of many sport’s hottest superstars.
His combat towards Superlek in September 2023 was some of the iconic Muay Thai fights within the sport’s historical past, and he’s seeking to earn his shot at redemption.
Takeru “The Pure Born Crusher” Segawa
Going through his opponent within the upcoming ONE 172 in Japan, Takeru is absolutely ready to show he’s the perfect Flyweight kickboxer on the planet. Rising up in Yonago Metropolis, Japan, Takeru has at all times been fascinated by the rise of Japan’s kickboxing promotion, Ok-1. He has at all times needed to compete and change into one of many stars within the promotion, however the lack of alternative to coach in kickboxing throughout his childhood hindered him from reaching his martial arts dream, no less than initially.
As a substitute, Takeru took up karate in second grade, and it grew to become part of his martial arts journey. After failing to succeed in his skilled profession aim and turning into a childcare employee, Takeru determined to take a large leap. He labored a number of jobs to afford a airplane ticket and moved to Thailand to pursue his childhood dream of turning into a kickboxing star.
After shifting to Thailand, Takeru initially studied Muay Thai after which realized he may make a dwelling competing in fight sports activities. He climbed up the newbie rankings and carried his success to his skilled profession. In 2014, Takeru lastly made it to Ok-1.
Many contemplate him as one of many best kickboxers of the trendy era after his unbeaten seven-year streak in Ok-1, the place he grew to become a three-division champion (Ok-1 Tremendous Featherweight, Ok-1 Featherweight, and Ok-1 Tremendous Bantamweight champion).
Final January 2024, he determined to affix the ONE Championship preventing roster to tackle the world’s best strikers. After struggling the identical destiny as Rodtang after going through Superlek in his ONE Kickboxing debut, Takeru is seeking to get previous Rodtang and earn his shot but once more towards the present Flyweight Kickboxing world champion, Superlek.
After his first defeat on the ONE international stage, he instantly bounced again and defeated his subsequent opponent, Thant Zin, by way of knockout final September 2024.
A Conflict Of Champions
At first, Takeru was set to combat Rodtang in his ONE Championship debut in January 2024. However when Rodtang withdrew from the match-up due to harm, the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion, Superlek, stepped in and received by way of unanimous determination.
All through the match, Superlek used his jabs to arrange his low kicks towards Takeru, who carried a large and extra bladed kickboxing stance. Whereas Superlek dominated the combat, Takeru nearly knocked Superlek out within the third spherical after going for a physique shot. He stored digging, landed a barrage of strikes, and switched to the top as Superlek curled up.
However, Takeru fought till the tip of 5 rounds and has confirmed that he’s one of many hardest strikers within the sport. In an interview, Takeru revealed that his struggle towards Superlek took a toll on him, each bodily and mentally, as he fractured his knee in two locations after the combat.
Wanting again on his combat towards Superlek, Takeru realized that he wanted to alter his strategy in his coaching camps to prime his physique for fights. His battle with Superlek made him reevaluate his strategy, and he has since centered on optimizing his bodily efficiency. Takeru has change into extra caring of his physique, and being 33, continuously pushing himself to the restrict in each combat camp will not be the perfect technique and will do him extra hurt than good.
Whereas Superlek defeated Rodtang of their tightly contested match, he nonetheless earned the respect of many combat followers worldwide in a match that might have gone both means. With Rodtang presently on a two-fight win streak, he’s seeking to get previous Takeru and problem Superlek for the ONE Flyweight title, however this time, underneath the Kickboxing ruleset.
Rodtang and Takeru suffered the identical destiny once they confronted Superlek. The winner of the match between the 2 could also be their ticket to a possible rematch towards the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing champion, Superlek, ought to he efficiently defend his belt towards Nabil Anane on the identical day.
ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang
ONE 172 is an occasion to behold for combat followers worldwide. Among the many upcoming matches in ONE 172 is Muay Thai star Tawanchai vs Masaaki Noiri of Japan for the interim featherweight Kickboxing World Championship.
Moreover, Superlek will combat and defend his belt on the identical card towards the 20-year-old rising star Nabil Anane for the Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu will combat for the Flyweight MMA World Championship. MMA legends Eduard Folayang and Shinya Aoki will combat once more, with Eduard seeking to settle the rating.
Be sure to don’t miss the joys of ONE 172: Takeru vs Rodtang on March 23 in Japan!
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