Takeru Admits First Rodtang Loss Changed His Entire Perspective On Retirement

Takeru Segawa's career has produced championships, classics, and moments that have defined an era of Japanese kickboxing. But one night has haunted him above all others.

On April 29 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, the 34-year-old gets the chance to rewrite that chapter.

Takeru will challenge Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title in the main event of ONE Samurai 1.

The road to this moment began on a single night in March 2025. Rodtang stopped Takeru in just 80 seconds at ONE 172, handing him the most devastating defeat of his career and planting a seed of unfinished business that has grown ever since.

"After I lost to Rodtang, that was around the time I started thinking that I must defeat Rodtang and retire. I lost to him in the first round. Until then, I had never lost a fight like that quickly. That was also the first time I lost by such a clear KO," Takeru said.

The damage was not just physical. It was something more personal.

"He was the first opponent who gave me that level of humiliation as a fighter. So I feel if I don't get revenge against a fighter like him, I can't finish my career as a fighter," he said.

Rather than retreat, Takeru responded. He stepped back into the ring at ONE 173 in Japan in November 2025 and stopped Denis Puric in the second round with the aggressive, high-pressure kickboxing that built his reputation across a 45-5 career.

Now, with Tokyo's Ariake Arena packed with fans who have followed his journey from the beginning, everything comes down to one night and two intertwined ambitions.

"For myself, the most important thing is to give everything that I have, win the final fight, and achieve both of my long-time goals: get the ONE belt and defeat Rodtang," Takeru said.