‘Iron Man’ Rodtang suffers rare second KO loss in retirement clash with fighter he previously beat in 80 secs | International Sports News
Takeru Segawa ended his career with a statement 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 World Championship, overturning a one-sided defeat from just over a year earlier. The bout, held at Ariake Arena, marked Takeru’s retirement fight, and it unfolded very differently from their first meeting in March 2025, when Rodtang had 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 had been brief and decisive, with Rodtang overwhelming 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. That result had lingered over the rematch, with Takeru later admitting he had not been at his best that night, and the second meeting carried both competitive stakes and personal weight.
Fight breakdown: knockdowns, recovery and final stoppage
Rodtang, 28, came out in the opening round with the same approach that had worked previously, targeting Takeru’s chin and throwing the left hook that had ended their first fight, but the Japanese fighter, representing Team Vasileus, was better prepared this time, blocking and absorbing the shots before responding with kicks and counters as the exchanges settled into a rhythm. The fight shifted decisively in the second round when Takeru dropped Rodtang twice with left hooks on separate occasions, forcing the Thai fighter to take two eight-counts, moments that were notable given Rodtang’s reputation for durability across more than 300 fights. Rodtang regained composure in the third round, working behind his front push kick to the body and re-establishing his punching combinations, while Takeru absorbed the pressure, at times smiling and gesturing for more exchanges as he continued to trade. The fourth round developed into a sustained exchange, with both fighters landing in close range, Rodtang finding success late in the round, but Takeru responding in the closing seconds with a sharp shot that snapped his opponent’s head back. The finish came in the fifth round, where a right hand from Takeru destabilised Rodtang, followed by a left hook and another right that sent him down for a count, and although Rodtang rose again, a final right hand left him hurt and held up by the ropes before the referee stopped the contest with 37 seconds remaining, officially recorded at 2:22 of round five.
A rare stoppage loss for “The 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 ONE Championship, where most of his setbacks had come 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 Rodtang to retain his Muay Thai world title, and a technical submission loss to Demetrious Johnson in March 2022 at ONE X under special rules, where alternating Muay Thai and MMA rounds led to him being finished by rear-naked choke. Across his career, Rodtang has fought more than 300 times, with over 270 wins, the majority of his defeats coming early in his career in Thailand before reaching the top level, and he had previously built a 14-fight winning streak in ONE Championship.
Takeru’s final performance and career record
For Takeru, 34, the victory capped a professional career that ends with a 46–5 record, the interim ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title, and a reported performance bonus of 15 million Japanese yen (approximately $100,000). The win is widely considered one of the best performances of his career, not only for the result but for the manner in which he absorbed early pressure, adjusted tactically, and broke down an opponent known for durability.
Reaction and immediate aftermath
The result drew a strong reaction from fans and fighters, particularly given Rodtang’s reputation and the contrast with the first fight. “Oh my! Takeru TKOs Rodtang in the fifth round,” one fan wrote, while another added: “OOOH MY WORD TAKERU STOPS RODTANG IN THE 5TH ROUND.” Retired kickboxer Liam Harrison said: “This is absolute insanity….wow.” Other reactions focused on the nature of the fight itself, with one comment reading: “Takeru just eating those punches, smiling, then knocking Rodtang out. That was peak cinema right there and a great way to avenge his loss.” Another fan added: “He deserved this ending, man. One of the most entertaining fighters in any combat sport,” while a contrasting reaction from a Rodtang supporter stated: “Rodtang is washed.”
What the result changes
The rematch, more than a year in the making, reversed the narrative of their rivalry in a single night, with Takeru leaving the sport as a 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 durability across five rounds rather than ending in a single exchange.
