‘It’s Not Going Past The Second’ – Denis Puric Promises Fireworks Against Takeru At ONE 173
Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric has made a career out of defying the odds, and at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, he will take on one of his biggest challenges yet.
On Sunday, November 16, the Bosnian-Canadian brawler will step inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena to face #2-ranked contender Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa in a flyweight kickboxing bout that has the global fan base buzzing.
This is a battle that Puric has been wanting for months, and he even campaigned for it over social media. Now, in just a few short weeks, his dream match will become a reality.
The 40-year-old said:
“I want to fight legends, the best. That’s all.
“There’s nobody who put up a fight against Rodtang [Jitmuangnon] the way I did. So, I think I deserve that fight the most. I’m trying to get that number two spot [in the rankings] and then fight Rodtang again, maybe for a title or something next.”
The Soi Dogs MMA standout has never shied away from danger.
Over the years, he’s built a reputation as one of the most entertaining Muay Thai fighters in the game. For instance, he scored a second-round knockout of leading Vietnamese striker Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat and dropped former ONE World Title challenger Jacob Smith twice en route to a unanimous decision win.
When he switched to kickboxing in June 2024, Puric immediately made an impression by going the distance with Thai megastar and #1-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a three-round slugfest that had fans on their feet.
Since then, he’s faced a turbulent stretch – a no contest against Elias “The Sniper” Mahmoudi and a stoppage defeat to Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi. That caused Puric to pump the brakes momentarily, let his body rest, and take away some valuable lessons from those setbacks.
Ultimately, “The Bosnian Menace” realized he needed to concentrate more on his post-fight recovery and make a permanent shift to kickboxing competition.
Puric said:
“I was not considering the fact that I’m 40 years old. So, I kind of had a wake-up call with the last fight, and I’m just like, ‘I’m just gonna take my time, man.’ I’m gonna pull it back, recover, focus on the gym, and stop rushing into fights.
“Also, I think I should focus more on kickboxing than Muay Thai. These guys [in Muay Thai] are young lions, they’re half my age. I think with kickboxing, I could still hang with the best of them. So, I’m gonna let these young lions take over the Muay Thai world, and I’m gonna try to get that kickboxing title.”
Puric’s decision to pivot fully to kickboxing was more than a tactical shift. It was a practical one.
ONE Championship’s Muay Thai bouts feature athletes donning 4-ounce gloves, and they are allowed to use elbows and engage in the clinch. However, the kickboxing rule set has strikers wearing heavier gloves, limits clinching, and outlaws elbow strikes. That change, Puric says, gives him room to move, use his speed, and extend his longevity.
Feeling rejuvenated by the change in pace and style, the Bosnian-Canadian brawler feels like he’s in prime condition – and with that comes his trademark confidence.
He explained:
“If I’m in shape, I can fight. So, as long as I go in there and bang out three rounds with him, the way I bang out with Rodtang, I don’t think it’s going to go past the second, for sure.”
Puric Explains Why Takeru Will Have A Short Night
For Denis Puric, facing a Japanese superstar like Takeru Segawa was exactly the kind of fight he’d been chasing – and one he fully expects to end quickly.
This matchup also carries a twist of intrigue. Earlier this year at ONE 172 in March, Takeru was stopped by Rodtang in 80 seconds. Meanwhile, Puric went the distance with the Thai dynamo in a three-round war that showcased his toughness.
That contrast, he said, only sharpens his belief that he can shock the Tokyo crowd:
“I just need to land a nice shot, and I think he’s going to be wobbled, at least to the point where I can finish the fight. He’s not the kind of fighter who goes in there and protects himself. He is quite open. I see openings, man. I see openings, and I see myself landing a left hook and putting him down.”
At the same time, Puric believes Takeru might be underestimating him.
The “Natural Born Krusher” has been obsessed with securing a rematch with Rodtang under any striking rule set and earning some redemption, but “The Bosnian Menace” believes he isn’t entirely locked in on the threat that will be standing across from him on November 16.
Puric said:
“I think [Takeru is too focused on Rodtang]. That’s definitely what he’s doing, and he’s putting a lot of pressure on himself.”
Still, Puric knows he can’t take the three-division K-1 Champion lightly. He’s spent months studying Takeru’s habits and tendencies, identifying the strikes that could be most dangerous.
The Bosnian-Canadian veteran is fully aware of the Japanese superstar’s signature weapons and has built his camp around countering them. Meanwhile, he has also been harnessing his own power and explosiveness.
Puric offered:
“He’s got the body toe stab that he always does, and then he does the calf kicks. But like I said, those are the only two things that he’s got that he can use against me.
“He’s got no boxing, he can’t box with me. He doesn’t have enough power to box with me, right? He might be fast, but I’m pretty fast as well. I’m more explosive, I feel like, and I hit harder.”
