Chatri Sityodtong Says Takeru Vs. Rodtang Is Next

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has given fans renewed hope that the dream striking showdown between ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Japanese kickboxing superstar Takeru Segawa will be restored. The pair were scheduled to meet at ONE 166 earlier this year, before an injury to the long-time flyweight king scuppered the contest. 

Before he can cast his focus toward Rodtang, however, Takeru has a tough assignment against Burmese knockout artist Thant Zin ahead of him on September 27, at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut. At the pre-fight press conference ahead of the blockbuster card at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, Sityodtong stressed that the flyweight kickboxing fight this Friday is not to be overlooked. 

“Takeru, first of all, is a very aggressive fighter, and he asked to fight a dangerous fighter. Now, Thant Zin, even though he is from a younger generation, and he doesn’t have as much experience as Takeru, he has very accurate weapons and he always shows his aggressiveness in fights. So this matchup is perfect because both of them have a similar style. Now, even though this is in the kickboxing rule set, Takeru has a reputation to protect and with a newcomer like Thant Zin, he’s hungry to make his reputation or make a name for himself as well. So, this is going to be a spectacular fight to look forward to,” he said. 

Rodtang also has his hands full, with a defence of his flyweight Muay Thai strap on the bill at ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8 against British contender Jacob Smith. If both men are successful in their upcoming fights, Sityodtong revealed that “The Iron Man” and “The Natural Born Crusher” will finally lock horns in the not-too-distant future. 

“Yes, if Takeru wins on Friday and Rodtang wins his next fight, 100 percent Rodtang and Takeru [are] fighting, they’ve agreed to the fight already. We have a date, we have a venue. We’re just not announcing it yet, because we want to see the outcome. Actually, Takeru and Rodtang are so calm, they’ve already signed bout agreements. They’re ready to go. They’re ready to face each other, but I wouldn’t count their chickens before they hatch, right? They’ve got some tough fights ahead,” he said. 

Watch ONE Friday Fights 81 live on Friday, September 27, on watch.onefc.com at 8:30 a.m. ET/5:30 a.m. PT