Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa will meet once again, and the rematch has captured the attention of the global striking community.
The two superstars will collide for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 1, which emanates live from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29.
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It will mark Takeru’s final kickboxing clash and his last chance to win ONE World Title gold. Meanwhile, “The Iron Man” has an opportunity to achieve two-sport glory and become the only person to defeat the Japanese icon twice.
Their first encounter ended in just 80 seconds, when Rodtang delivered a stunning knockout that silenced the home crowd and cut short what many believed would be a defining battle between two of the sport’s most celebrated names.
Now scheduled for five rounds, the sequel offers a far more complete proving ground. The magnitude of the contest has drawn interest of world-class strikers from around the globe, including reigning ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel.
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Eersel offered a composed and tactical assessment of the main event showdown:
“I know Rodtang has a lot of power. Takeru has to fight smarter and keep his hands higher.
“If he’s smart and moves a lot, he just has to avoid the power shots of Rodtang. Move out, move in, move out, move in. Then, he can win – not easily, but he can win.”
When Rodtang and Takeru first collided at ONE 172 in March 2025, the fight never had the opportunity to evolve. A brief exchange quickly escalated before the Thai’s trademark power ended the tilt almost instantly.
That abrupt finish left little room for adjustments or strategy to take shape. It is precisely the kind of scenario Eersel believes must be avoided if the former three-division K-1 Champion hopes to even the score, win the belt, and retire on top.
The Dutch-Surinamese kingpin added:
“It takes a lot of conditioning and drilling to have that kind of game plan. It’s a little bit like I did with Alexis [Nicolas] the second time – move out, move in, move out, move in. If you fight like that, you get away from the danger.
“If not, if you’re going to stand and bang. That’s Rodtang’s game. Then, you’re not going to make it out.”
Eersel speaks from experience. In his own rivalry with the French kickboxer, the 33-year-old made the necessary adjustments in their ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title rematch in October 2024 to avenge an earlier defeat, relying on disciplined movement and controlled engagements rather than prolonged exchanges.
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Ultimately, he emerged victorious once again in their trilogy bout at ONE Fight Night 30 six months later.
That same approach, he suggests, could be the key for the “Natural Born Krusher.” Against a pressure fighter like Rodtang, maintaining distance and avoiding extended firefights is not just a strategy. It is a requirement.
Eersel said:
“You have two scenarios because it’s for an interim title now. If Takeru moves around the whole five rounds, he can win. But if he stands toe-to-toe, he’s not going to make it. So, he has to avoid that kind of situation.”
Eersel Eyes Kickboxing Gold At The Inner Circle On April 10
While offering insight into one of the year’s biggest rematches, Regian Eersel is preparing for a pivotal contest of his own.
On Friday, April 10, he will face Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong for the vacant ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle, airing live in Asia primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The bout places two elite strikers on a collision course with 26 pounds of gold on the line.
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For Eersel, it represents a chance to reclaim the belt that first elevated him to global prominence and restore his status as a two-sport ONE World Champion. For Rungrawee, it is an opportunity to capture the biggest prize of his career in front of a home crowd and cement his position among the sport’s elite.
Eersel said:
“I’m very excited. I hope I get my baby back, my first baby, my first title in ONE Championship. I won it in 2019. So yeah, in 2026, I hope to reclaim it, win it again, and become a double champ again.”
With a 64-5 professional record that equates to a remarkable 93 percent winning rate, Eersel has built one of the most consistent careers in modern striking.
“The Immortal” has also amassed 13 victories in ONE Championship, establishing himself as the gold standard across both Muay Thai and kickboxing.
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Inside the ring, the Sityodtong Amsterdam product is defined by rhythm and precision. His long frame allows him to control range, while his high-volume combinations and composure enable him to dictate tempo against top opposition.
But Rungrawee presents a different kind of challenge. The Thai striker, who holds a 158-48 career record, has earned his “Legatron” nickname through devastating low kicks that have dismantled opponents over time. He combines traditional Muay Thai fundamentals with fight-altering power.
Their meeting is a classic stylistic clash. It’s Eersel’s fluid, high-output kickboxing colliding with Rungrawee’s calculated destruction.
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Eersel respects his forthcoming rival, and he is eager to test his mettle against him:
“He’s a good fighter. Southpaw fighter. Strong legs, big legs. He’s smart. Typical Muay Thai fighter. He fights a little bit on the counter also. So, I’m curious how he will do against me.”
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