ONE Championship 172: Rodtang Stuns Takeru with First-Round Knockout

Rodtang Jitmuangnon Delivers Spectacular KO Against Takeru Segawa at ONE 172

In a highly anticipated bout at ONE 172, Muay Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon delivered a stunning first-round knockout against Japanese kickboxing sensation Takeru Segawa. The fight, held at the Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, ended in just one minute and 20 seconds, shocking fans worldwide.

Takeru had expressed that a victory over Rodtang would mark the pinnacle of his career, but the fight did not go as planned. Meanwhile, Rodtang, determined to make a statement after criticism for missing weight in his previous fight, enlisted the help of renowned combat sports nutritionist Peter Miller to prepare for the bout. The results were undeniable.

The Knockout Sequence

Rodtang started with a right low kick before unleashing a fierce left hook-straight combo. He repeated the sequence before landing a monstrous left hook to Takeru’s chin, sending his opponent crashing to the canvas. Unable to beat the referee’s count, Takeru suffered a decisive knockout loss.

A Long-Awaited Showdown

The bout marked a monumental clash between two of the sport’s most celebrated strikers. Fans had waited nearly a decade for this match-up, as both fighters previously competed in separate organizations. The event, which was the biggest ONE Championship show in Japan to date, attracted a massive audience, eager to witness the showdown between Rodtang and Takeru.

Takeru, a dominant force in K-1 throughout the 2010s, had previously embarked on a long winning streak from 2012 to 2021. However, recent losses to Tenshin Nasukawa in 2022 and Superlek Kiatmoo9 earlier in 2024 raised questions about whether he was past his prime. Despite this, his reputation in Japan ensured strong local support for his fight against Rodtang.

Rodtang, on the other hand, has been a formidable force in ONE Championship’s Muay Thai divisions since his debut in 2018. His 17-1 record within the promotion cemented him as a dominant champion before losing his title due to a weight miss, rather than an in-ring defeat.

The Journey to ONE 172

A fight between Rodtang and Takeru seemed unlikely for years due to contractual obligations—Rodtang was under an exclusive deal with ONE, while Takeru competed in Japan-based promotions. However, after Takeru signed with ONE in 2023, the fight finally became a reality. Initially scheduled for ONE 165 in Tokyo, the bout was postponed due to an injury Rodtang sustained, making their eventual clash at ONE 172 even more anticipated.

Rodtang’s Future in ONE Championship

Following his emphatic victory, Rodtang expressed his desire to reclaim his championship status. “I put everything I have into each and every fight,” he said through an interpreter. “And now, I am ready to take my belt back.” With this win, Rodtang has once again positioned himself as one of the top contenders in the organization.

ONE 172: Full Results

• Bout 13: Rodtang Jitmuangnon def. Takeru Segawa via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 1:20) (Kickboxing)

• Bout 12: Masaaki Noiri def. Tawanchai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym via TKO, Strikes (RD 3, 1:55) (Vacant Interim ONE Kickboxing Featherweight Championship, 155 lbs)

• Bout 11: Yuya Wakamatsu def. Adriano Moraes via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 3:39) (Vacant ONE MMA Flyweight Championship, 135 lbs)

• Bout 10: Jon Di Bella def. Sam-A Gaiyanghadao via Decision, Unanimous (Vacant Interim ONE Kickboxing Strawweight Championship, 125 lbs)

• Bout 9: Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom def. Kana Morimoto via Decision, Unanimous (ONE Kickboxing Atomweight Championship, 115 lbs)

• Bout 8: Nabil Anane def. Superlek Kiatmoo9 via Decision, Unanimous

• Bout 7: Nadaka Yoshinari def. Rak Erawan via TKO, Strikes (RD 3, 2:40) (Muay Thai)

• Bout 6: Shinya Aoki def. Eduard Folayang via Submission, Armbar (RD 1, 0:53)

• Bout 5: Hiroki Akimoto def. John Lineker via Decision, Split (Kickboxing)

• Bout 4: Adrian Lee def. Takeharu Ogawa via Submission, Anaconda Choke (RD 1, 1:03)

• Bout 3: Shimon Yoshinari def. Yodlekpet Or Atchariya via Decision, Unanimous (Muay Thai)

• Bout 2: Hyu def. Zakaria El Jamari via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 2:12) (Kickboxing)

• Bout 1: Ryusei Kumagai def. Suriyanlek Por Yenying via Decision, Unanimous (Kickbos.xing)

With such an explosive finish to one of the most anticipated fights in recent history, Rodtang’s victory at ONE 172 has only further solidified his legacy as one of the greatest strikers in combat sport