Rodtang cries after his KO loss to Takeru. One credit tournament
Takeru Segawa ended his career with a complete win on April 29, stopping Rodtang “Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in the fifth round at ONE Samurai 1 in Tokyo to claim the interim ONE Flyweight Kickboxing Championship, overturning a one-sided defeat just over a year earlier. The bout, held at Ariake Arena, served as Takeru’s retirement fight, and unfolded very differently from their first meeting in March 2025, when Rodtang knocked him out in just 80 seconds with a left hook at ONE Championship 172 inside Saitama Super Arena.
From 80 seconds to five rounds
Their first fight was short and decisive, with Rodtang getting the better of Takeru early, landing a clean left hook that ended the contest inside the opening round and earned him a $50,000 performance bonus while improving his record to 274-43. This result stood until the rematch, with Takeru later admitting that he was not at his best that night, and the second meeting carried competitive stakes and personal weight.
Fight breakdown: knockdowns, recovery, and final stoppage
Rodtang (28 years old) came out in the opening round with the same approach that had succeeded previously, as he targeted Takeru’s chin and threw the left hook that ended their first fight, but the Japanese fighter, who represents Vasilios’ team, was better prepared this time, as he blocked and absorbed shots before responding with kicks and counters as the exchanges settled into a rhythm.
The fight turned decisive in the second round when Takeru dropped Rodtang twice with left hooks on two separate occasions, forcing the Thai fighter to make two eight-counts, moments that were notable considering Rodtang’s reputation for durability across more than 300 fights.
Rodtang regained his composure in the third round, working behind his front kick to the body and recreating his punching combinations, while Takeru absorbed the pressure, smiling at times and gesturing for more exchanges as he continued to trade. The fourth round developed into a sustained exchange, with both fighters landing at close range, Rodtang finding success late in the round, but Takeru responded in the final seconds with a sharp shot that snapped his opponent’s head back.
The end came in the fifth round, as a right hand from Takeru destabilized Rodtang, followed by another left and right hook that sent him down for the count, and although Rodtang got back up, the final right hand left him hurt and tied up in the ropes before the referee stopped the bout with 37 seconds left, officially scored at 2:22 of the fifth round.
A rare stopping loss for “Iron Man”
The defeat marked only the second knockout loss of Rodtang’s career and the first time he had been stopped by strikes in a single tournament, with most of his setbacks coming under different circumstances. His previous losses in the promotion include a unanimous decision defeat to Superlek Kiatmoo9 in September 2023 at ONE Friday Fights 34, a bout contested at catchweight after Superlek missed weight, allowing Rodang to retain his Muay Thai world title, and a technical submission loss to Demetrius Johnson in March 2022 at ONE throttle. Throughout his career, Rodtang has fought over 300 times, with over 270 victories, with most of his defeats coming early in his career in Thailand before he reached the top level, and he had previously built a 14-fight winning streak in ONE Championship.
Takeru’s final performance and career record
For 34-year-old Takeru, the win capped a professional career that ended with a 46-5 record, the interim kickboxing world flyweight title, and a reported performance bonus of ¥15 million (about $100,000).
This win is widely considered one of the best performances of his career, not only in terms of the result but also in terms of the way he absorbed early pressure, adjusted tactically, and overcame a notoriously tough opponent.
Reaction and immediate consequences
The result sparked strong reactions from fans and fighters, especially given Rodtang’s reputation and the contrast with the first fight. One fan wrote: “OMG! TKOs Takeru Rodtang in the 5th round, while another added: “OOOH, my word TAKERU stops RODTANG in the 5th round.” Retired kickboxer Liam Harrison said: “This is absolutely crazy… wow.” Other reactions focused on the nature of the fight itself, with one comment saying: “Takeru was eating those punches, smiling and then kicking out Rodtang. That was the height of cinema right there and a great way to avenge his loss.” Another fan added: “He deserved that finish man. One of the most entertaining fighters in any combat sport,” while a mixed reaction came from one Rodtang supporter: “Rodtang is washed out.”
The result does not change
The rematch, more than a year in the making, mirrored the story of their rivalry in one night, with Takeru leaving the sport as world champion after avenging his most decisive defeat, and Rodtang absorbing one of the most significant losses of his career in a fight that tested his mettle across five rounds rather than ending in a single exchange.
