ONE 165: Superlek Replaces Rodtang, Defends World Title Against Takeru

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ONE Championship's highly anticipated return to Tokyo, Japan, later this month has had to adjust its headline attraction, but the excitement surrounding ONE 165: Superlek vs. Takeru should remain intact.

The world's largest martial arts promotion announced on Friday that reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon has been sidelined due to an injury to his left hand. And as a result, he's been forced to withdraw from his kickboxing superfight with Takeru Segawa.

But fear not, as the Japanese icon will now face ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in the evening's main event on Sunday, 28 January. And this time, the Thai's World Title is up for grabs on three weeks' notice.

Superlek was set to defend his crown against Elias Mahmoudi in ONE Fight Night 18's main event on 13 January, until an injury to the challenger forced the contest to be scrapped. But timely enough, the legendary Superlek was primed and ready to fill in for his compatriot in Rodtang.

The last 12 months have been prolific for "The Kicking Machine." The Buriram brawler clinched the ONE flyweight kickboxing crown in January 2023 and ventured over to the Muay Thai realm on three occasions, amassing a 10-fight total winning streak.

Superlek then ended a banner 2023 by defeating Rodtang via unanimous decision in their monumental clash at ONE Friday Fights 34 last September - an instant classic in Muay Thai's biggest fight in decades.

But across the ring, Takeru's debut now has golden ramifications attached to it. The decorated Japanese star is highly dangerous and undeniably one of the greatest pound-for-pound strikers in combat sports.

Boasting a record of 42-3 and 25 knockouts, Takeru's skill set makes him a huge threat to the elite strikers in ONE Championship. And while he may have to adapt to Superlek's style, the stakes have only risen higher in Tokyo with the Thai sensation's gold being up for grabs.