ONE SAMURAI 1: “My top consideration”

Takeru ‘Natural Born Krusher’ Segawa will call it a day at ONE SAMURAI 1, but it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

The former three-division K-1 champion squares off against Rodtang ‘The Iron Man’ Jitmuangnon for the second time in the main event of the spectacle, which emanates live from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Wednesday, April 29.

Ahead of their clash for the ONE interim flyweight kickboxing world title in Japan, Takeru opened up on his decision to draw the curtain on his legendary career.

“Well, regarding my retirement, actually, I didn’t have the feeling of retirement yet. But I had been thinking about when would be the right timing to retire for about three or four years,” he told ONE Championship in an exclusive interview.

“The condition of my body was my top consideration. So the moment when I thought that this would truly be the last time I could [fight at my] strongest condition was probably about a year ago.”

A victory over ‘The Iron Man’ will give him the send-off he wants. More importantly, it will allow him to exact revenge over the former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, who sent him crashing to the canvas in 80 seconds during their kickboxing superfight at ONE 172 in Saitama, Japan, last March.

ONE SAMURAI 1 will be held at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Wednesday, April 29. Tickets are on sale now via ePlus and Zaiko.

Takeru’s keys to victory against Rodtang at ONE SAMURAI 1

The blueprint is simple in theory and brutal in practice — survive the opening minutes, and make it a war.

Rodtang’s most dangerous window is the early rounds, where his relentless forward pressure and explosive left hook have ended fights before they ever truly begin.

Takeru experienced that firsthand at ONE 172. His keys to victory later this month are to ensure he stays disciplined in those opening exchanges, keeping his guard tight, and refusing to get drawn into a reckless brawl before he has found his range.

Once the Team Vasileus representative settles in, his advantages start to show.

A 45-5 career record built on elite technical striking, pinpoint timing, and an iron chin gives him every tool needed to match Rodtang’s intensity and outlast him across five rounds.