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Andrew Whitelaw

Takeru Segawa will have one last hurrah before retiring after stopping Denis Puric in the third round at ONE 173 in Tokyo and positioning himself for a blockbuster rematch with Rodtang Jitmuangnon in what he says will be his final fight.
The former three-division K-1 champion entered Sunday’s flyweight kickboxing contest carrying significant pressure.
Since joining ONE, Takeru’s run has been turbulent. He lost his promotional debut to Superlek Kiatmoo9, rebounded with a win over Thant Zin, then suffered a knockout defeat to Rodtang at ONE 172.
That result marked the first time in his career he had lost twice within the same organisation. At 34 years old, the stakes could not have been higher.
Takeru delivered when he needed it most. Mixing sharp punches, varied kicks and a more familiar rhythm, he floored Puric repeatedly en route to a stoppage at 2:49 of round three.

The win moved him to 2-2 in ONE and 45-5 overall, and he earned a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong.
At the post-fight press conference, Sityodtong revealed that both Takeru and Rodtang want their rematch to headline ONE 175 in Tokyo on April 29.
“My team messaged me during the event telling me we were trending all over the world,” Sityodtong said. “Japan still has some of the best martial arts on the planet. They just need a global platform like ONE Championship to shine.”
When asked directly about Takeru’s call-out of Rodtang, Sityodtong confirmed the timeline.
“Rodtang wants to fight Takeru. He is honoured to face him in his last match,” he said. “ONE 175 in Tokyo on April 29 is the right time for it. That fight would break every record in Japan.”
Takeru, who announced in the ring that he intended to retire after facing Rodtang again, said he had long set a personal rule that two consecutive losses would signal the end of his career. His defeats to Superlek and Rodtang brought him close to that line.
“I had always told myself that if I lost twice I would retire,” Takeru said. “After the fight with Rodtang I thought about stopping, but I wanted one more chance. I came into this fight in a must-win situation. I really hope the fight with Rodtang happens because I want to finish in my best condition.”
He also revealed he had returned to studying his early fights and reintroduced elements of his original K-1 style.
“I switched up my training and looked back at my old fights. I feel like I returned to my old self,” he said.
In the main event, Superbon unified the featherweight kickboxing world title with a unanimous decision victory over interim champion Masaaki Noiri after five high-paced rounds.
Sityodtong confirmed afterwards that Marat Grigorian had earned the next title shot following his win over Rukiya Anpo, with Superbon v Grigorian targeted for ONE 175.
Japan’s Yuya Wakamatsu defended his flyweight MMA crown by stopping Joshua Pacio with grounded knees in round two, while Christian Lee retained his lightweight MMA world title with a second-round TKO of Alibeg Rasulov.
Nadaka Yoshinari won the inaugural atomweight Muay Thai world title with a unanimous decision over Numsurin Chor Ketwina. Yuki Yoza defeated Superlek on points in their bantamweight kickboxing bout, while Nabil Anane impressed with a unanimous decision over Hiromi Wajima.
Kana Morimoto beat Stamp Fairtex on the scorecards, and Tye Ruotolo submitted Shozo Isojima in the first round of their lightweight MMA clash. Other winners included Rafael Lovato Jnr, Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin, Shamil Erdogan, Hiroyuki Tetsuka, Chihiro Sawada and Hiroki Akimoto.


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ONE Championship

Takeru wants to go out with a bang, gets Rodtang rematch for retirement fight at ONE 175

Takeru Segawa and Rodtang Jitmuangnon face off in the ring at ONE 173. Photo: ONE Championship

Takeru Segawa said his fight at ONE 175 would be his last. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Rodtang v Nong-O title fight cancelled after ‘Ironman’ hospitalised

From left, Rodtang made his weight before feeling unwell, while Nong-O and Anpo both failed their weigh-ins. Photo: Handout

An irritated Marat Grigorian said his fight against Rukiya Anpo would go on. Photo: ONE Championship

Thailand’s Superbon (left) and Japan’s Masaaki Noiri (right) both made weight. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Thai star Stamp Fairtex to make up for lost time against Kana Morimoto

Stamp Fairtex (left) will face Kana Morimoto in her least preferred discipline of kickboxing. Photo: Handout

Stamp Fairtex (left) and Kana Morimoto at their pre-fight press conference in September. Photo: ONE Championship.

Sport

Martial Arts

Kickboxing

Takeru Segawa knocks out Denis Puric and says he will quit after facing Rodtang Jitmuangnon in Tokyo next April


Takeru Segawa knocks out Denis Puric and says he will quit after facing Rodtang Jitmuangnon in Tokyo next April.


Superlek Kiatmuu9

Christian Lee

Takeru wants to go out with a bang, gets Rodtang rematch for retirement fight at ONE 175

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Takeru Segawa knocks out Denis Puric and says he will quit after facing Rodtang Jitmuangnon in Tokyo next April

Takeru Segawa knocks out Denis Puric and says he will quit after facing Rodtang Jitmuangnon in Tokyo next April