ONE Samurai 1: Takeru Segawa Shares His Nightmares Before Final Fight Against Rodtang Jitmuangnon In Tokyo

Japanese kickboxer Takeru Segawa said he faced daily nightmares before his retirement fight against Rodtang Jitmuangnon. He still chose to risk heavy damage in Tokyo on 29 April. Takeru won by fifth-round TKO at ONE SAMURAI 1 and claimed the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title.

The "Natural Born Krusher" dropped Rodtang four times. He scored two knockdowns in round two and two more in round five. The four-knockdown rule ended the contest. It was Rodtang's first knockout loss in 13 years and closed Takeru's 30-year martial arts career.

Takeru, a 34-year-old three-division K-1 Champion, said he never planned to fight safely. He knew Rodtang's power could finish him at any moment. Yet he chose to stand in range and trade instead of protecting his chin and legs.

"Today, I knew his punches were strong, but I was fully prepared to take them, which helped me endure," Takeru said. "Also, it was my last fight. I was prepared to die rather than fall, so I just took the punches."

Fans saw Takeru smile and taunt Rodtang during wild exchanges. He said those reactions showed his mixed feelings about retirement. He wanted to win in front of his home crowd. He also wanted to feel more of Rodtang's strikes before leaving the sport.

"Yes, it was fun. I wanted to exchange blows with him," he said. "When I realized my 30-year martial arts life was going to end in these five rounds, I wanted to win, but a part of me also wanted to take more of Rodtang's punches."

Takeru revealed a darker side to his camp. "Every day I was having nightmares about being knocked out, losing consciousness, or breaking my leg," he said. He kept those fears hidden before the fight. After the win, he said he was simply glad to leave the ring alive.