ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title: Takeru Segawa Aims To Defeat Rodtang In A Rematch

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Japanese kickboxing star Takeru Segawa will chase revenge and gold when he faces Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title. The rematch headlines ONE Samurai 1 on April 29. The bout may also mark Takeru’s final appearance.

Their first meeting in March 2025 ended quickly and brutally. Rodtang stopped Takeru in just 80 seconds. The 28-year-old Thai striker earned a US$50,000 performance bonus. The knockout shocked global combat sports fans and left Takeru deeply shaken.

The defeat changed how Takeru viewed retirement. He decided he could not stop before facing Rodtang again. He has called that loss the most painful of his career. It was his first clear knockout loss, and his fastest defeat.

"After I lost to Rodtang, that was around the time I started thinking that I must defeat Rodtang and retire. I lost to him in the first round. Until then, I had never lost a fight like that quickly. That was also the first time I lost by such a clear KO," Takeru said.

"He was the first opponent who gave me that level of humiliation as a fighter. So I feel if I don't get revenge against a fighter like him, I can't finish my career as a fighter."

Return win sets up possible career finale

After the setback, Takeru fought again in Japan. He stopped Denis Puric by TKO at ONE 173 last November. The win showed the forward pressure and sharp strikes that brought him three K-1 titles in separate weight classes.

Now Takeru links his retirement with this rematch. He wants to end his career as champion and with payback. "For myself, the most important thing is to give everything that I have, win the final fight, and achieve both of my long-time goals: get the ONE belt and defeat Rodtang," Takeru said.