News
Ben Coate
Dec 16, 2024
Rodtang Vs. Takeru, Moraes Vs. Wakamatsu II Set For ONE 172 In Japan On March 23
On March 23, 2025, ONE Championship will arrive at Saitama Super Arena in Japan, showcasing a blockbuster fight card featuring some of the most notable martial arts superstars in the world.
The main event of ONE 172 will spotlight two of the top generational talents in striking, as former long-reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon faces former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa in a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight.
The event also includes a rematch between former flyweight MMA king Adriano “Mikhino” Moraes and rising Japanese star Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu, competing for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title.
Thai fan favorite Rodtang and Japanese icon Takeru were supposed to fight in early 2024, but the matchup was postponed due to Rodtang’s injury sustained during training camp.
Now that both fighters are back to full health, anticipation for this dramatic showdown has reached new heights.
In one corner stands Rodtang, arguably the world’s most beloved striker. Known for his remarkable charisma, exceptional durability, and fearless fighting style, the 27-year-old boasts a record of 16 wins out of 17 striking bouts in ONE.
In his latest kickboxing appearance, Rodtang demonstrated his versatility by defeating veteran Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric in an electrifying battle that was one of the most memorable of the year.
Rodtang has expressed his eagerness to face Takeru, and he will finally get that opportunity on March 23.
For Takeru, he has undeniably established himself as one of kickboxing’s all-time greats throughout his professional career.
He has not only secured three K-1 belts, but he is also a former ISKA Kickboxing World Champion, enjoying an impressive seven-year unbeaten streak that paved the way for his ascent to ONE Championship.
Takeru was initially scheduled to compete against Rodtang in his promotional debut but ended up challenging the current two-sport, two-weight ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 165. Although he lost that match, the Japanese striker showcased elite talent and immense heart.
Since then, Takeru bounced back spectacularly, scoring a thrilling knockout against Myanmar’s Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81.
The highly anticipated clash between Rodtang and Takeru at ONE 172 represents one of the most significant kickboxing matches in recent history—a fitting main event for what promises to be a massive occasion.
Other notable matchups on the card include Moraes and Wakamatsu vying for 26 pounds of flyweight MMA gold.
Following the retirement of former titleholder Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson earlier this year, the title sits vacant, and both contenders are motivated to claim their rightful place atop the division.
Moraes has considerable experience in high-stakes World Title fights, having won the flyweight MMA belt on eight occasions during his impressive 10-year career in ONE Championships.
One of his successful title defenses occurred in 2022 at ONE X against Wakamatsu, where the Brazilian employed his veteran savvy and elite ground game to secure a third-round submission victory. However, since that fight, Wakamatsu has gathered valuable experience against top-level competition, entering this match on a three-fight winning streak that has earned him the #2 position in the flyweight MMA rankings.
Given their history and the legacy of his opponent, Wakamatsu is prepared for an all-out war against the #1-ranked Moraes at ONE 172.
Check onefc.com for all news and updates regarding ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on March 23.
