‘I Want To Face Him Again’ – Takeru’s Obsession With Rodtang Fuels Must-Win Battle At ONE 173
Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa’s story has always been one of pursuit – of power, pride, and the opponent who haunts his every training session.
On Sunday, November 16, the former multi-division K-1 Champion returns home for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo, Japan’s Ariake Arena, where he’ll square off against striking powerhouse Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric in a high-stakes flyweight kickboxing showdown.
For the #2-ranked contender, it’s a chance to reclaim his form, restore his confidence, and edge closer to a rematch with the man who defines his ambitions: Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon.
Takeru has been fixated on one name since signing with the world’s largest martial arts organization, and his stoppage loss at ONE 172 to the former ONE flyweight Muay Thai king in March this year left a scar that refuses to fade.
He said:
“My biggest motivation is to get revenge on Rodtang. Signing with ONE was to fight Rodtang. I want to face him again in the best condition possible.”
That obsession is precisely why the matchup with Puric feels so vital.
The Bosnian-Canadian slugger is one of the few men to have gone toe-to-toe with “The Iron Man” for three full rounds in a kickboxing war, taking the Thai megastar to the judges at ONE 167 in June last year.
For Takeru, it’s both a stylistic test and a symbolic one:
“I feel like [Puric] is the perfect opponent for me. Denis is really strong physically. He has great power and also strong mental toughness. Watching his fight with Rodtang, I thought he was a complete fighter.
“But when it comes to mental strength and punching power, I believe I won’t lose. In the end, I will win by KO in a striking exchange.”
That conviction has defined the 34-year-old’s career – a 44-win journey that’s made him one of Japan’s most accomplished strikers and a proud representative of Team Vasileus.
But beneath that fire lies reflection, and that taste of unfinished business still lingers.
“Natural Born Krusher” said:
“Last time, the fight ended quickly, so I want to erase that impression. I want to show the Japanese fans the best fight and a KO victory.”
Takeru Carries The Weight Of Expectation At Home
Facing Denis Puric in Japan at ONE 173 brings both comfort and pressure for Takeru Segawa.
Though adored by fans, the 34-year-old striking superstar hasn’t celebrated a victory on home soil in years – a fact that hangs heavy over his return to Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on November 16.
He said:
“I haven’t been able to win in Japan since 2021. I haven’t been able to show Japanese fans a victory, and that’s been frustrating for me. Since coming to ONE, I haven’t had consecutive wins yet. So this is definitely a fight I absolutely have to win.”
Takeru fell short in his bid to capture the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title from “The Kicking Machine” Superlek in his promotional debut at ONE 165 in his home country last year.
He rebounded impressively with a second-round TKO victory over Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81 in Bangkok, Thailand, eight months later.
That win showcased the same aggression and precision that made him a historic three-division K-1 Champion and reignited his pursuit of greatness in ONE.
However, his stoppage loss to Rodtang Jitmuangnon in his last outing serves as a painful reminder of the fine line between glory and heartbreak.
For a fighter who’s never suffered back-to-back defeats, every second inside the ring matters, and that’s why the stakes at ONE 173 feel enormous:
“I’ve never had two losses in a row in my career. It would feel like the end if that happened. So the pressure of not being able to lose is really heavy. But more than that, my motivation to show the Japanese fans a great win is stronger.”
That motivation burns brighter than fear. Beyond results, Takeru sees his journey as a message – one of perseverance, resilience, and belief in second chances.
On November 16, the mission is clear. The stage is home. The crowd will roar for their hero. And for Takeru, every strike thrown against Puric will carry the echo of his promise, a vow to rise again and reclaim his destiny.
He said:
“I’ve had many injuries and setbacks since joining ONE. Overcoming those and fighting Rodtang again is what I want. By getting revenge, I want to show that if you don’t give up, dreams and goals can come true. That’s what I want to share with everyone through my fights.
“This fight is one I absolutely cannot lose.”
