Takeru vs. Rodtang: 4 Keys To Victory In Kickboxing Super-Fight At ONE 172
The main event of ONE 172 will see a flyweight kickboxing super-fight for the ages, as former long-reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon goes toe-to-toe with Japanese megastar Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa.
That blockbuster five-round showdown will take place in front of a roaring Japanese crowd at the iconic Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 23, live on pay-per-view.
Both men are global icons who represent the absolute pinnacle of the striking arts. What’s more, neither striker has ever backed down from a firefight, setting the stage for an instant classic at ONE 172.
Before Takeru and Rodtang square off in this massively anticipated matchup, we dive into each athlete’s biggest keys to victory.
#1 Takeru’s Venomous Boxing Combinations
A former three-division K-1 Champion and former ISKA Kickboxing World Champion, Takeru is renowned for his blazing hand speed and vicious finishing instincts. If he wants to become the first man in ONE to stop Rodtang in a striking bout, he should rely heavily on his incredible punching combinations.
In his unforgettable promotional debut against current two-sport, two-weight king Superlek Kiatmoo9, the Japanese fan favorite nearly finished the bout with a beautiful flurry of punches in the corner. He continued to find success each time he strung together punches in four- or five-strike combinations.
Takeru will almost certainly carry a speed advantage over “The Iron Man,” and he’ll get the most out of that advantage if he focuses on his trademark boxing combinations, forcing the Thai on the defensive while testing his legendary chin.
#2 Rodtang’s Superhuman Durability
Like Takeru, Rodtang often does his best work when he’s got his man trapped against the ropes, where he can unleash his heavy hands in furious combinations.
In order to pressure “The Natural Born Crusher,” he’ll need to do what he’s done throughout his 18-fight career in ONE and trust in his granite chin, absurd durability, and never-ending aggression.
If Takeru has one weakness, it’s that he can be overwhelmed by forward-moving aggression – which is Rodtang’s specialty. Look for the Muay Thai legend to happily absorb one, two, or even three shots as he marches forward and into punching range, where he’ll hunt for the knockout.
#3 Takeru’s Dynamic Lead Leg
The 33-year-old is just as fast with his dangerous lead leg as he is with his hands, and against Rodtang, he’ll undoubtedly employ a dynamic and unpredictable kicking game.
With his background in karate and prodigious athletic gifts, Takeru is able to throw his lead leg in a wide range of situations, whether he’s punishing his foe’s legs with traditional kicks, stabbing at the body with a front kick, or looking for the kill shot with a speedy head kick.
While Rodtang is a battle-tested veteran who has spent years fighting the best strikers on the planet, he’s likely never encountered such an unorthodox and dynamic kicker as Takeru.
#4 Rodtang’s Crippling Leg Kicks
In general, “The Iron Man” is most dangerous when he’s bombing away with his hands, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a well-rounded striker capable of using every weapon at his disposal.
To that end, look for him to utilize leg kicks to punish Takeru’s lower body.
Rodtang’s friend and former foe, Superlek, found plenty of success landing leg kicks against Takeru, laying out the game plan to defeat the Japanese superstar.
And because “The Iron Man” tends to fight at a more careful, measured pace in kickboxing, he’s more likely to finish his punching combinations with leg kicks.
Fans should expect the Thai to showcase some of his lesser-used strikes against Takeru as he looks to emerge victorious in this massive super-fight.
