ONE Championship recently unveiled its newest signing – Japanese kickboxing superstar Takeru Segawa – at a press conference in Japan.
“Natural Born Crusher” comes to ONE with a staggering 41-3 professional kickboxing record, alongside a bit reputation, thanks to his decorated run with K-1 back in his homeland.
The 31-year-old looks set to be thrown straight into a marquee matchup when he makes his promotional debut, and here are three of the biggest names that could welcome him to the Circle.
1. Rodtang Jitmuangnon
The main name on fans’ lips in connection with Takeru is Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Ahead of the ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion’s latest title defense at ONE Fight Night 10, ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong teased a potential Takeru vs. Rodtang blockbuster matchup – and fans arguably want this one more than any other.
“That is probably the biggest kickboxing fight in a few decades. Obviously, Tenshin (Nasukawa) and Takeru was a big fight, but I think Takeru and Rodtang is literally going to be the biggest fight in decades for kickboxing,” Sityodtong said.
“It’s going to blow up the whole world. A hundred percent, we’re going to go to Japan with it. A hundred percent, it will be an amazing sellout. We’re actually discussing maybe doing it at Saitama (Super Arena), a 20,000-seater.”
2. Superlek Kiatmoo9
Should Rodtang find himself booked when Takeru is ready to step onto the global stage, another Thai superstar would be just as compelling.
ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 will inevitably be in Takeru’s crosshairs at some point in his ONE tenure – so perhaps they should get it over with early.
“The Kicking Machine” is fresh off a three-round destruction of Australia’s Danial Williams in March. And given that Takeru has a fight lined up with MTGP in June, their schedules could line up for a showdown shortly afterward.
3. Jonathan Haggerty
Takeru will likely elect to establish himself in his natural flyweight bracket first. But if the Japanese star really wanted to ruffle feathers in ONE, he could always choose to put on a few pounds and challenge at bantamweight.
Enter newly crowned ONE bantamweight muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty.
“The General” shocked the world in April when he dethroned long-time divisional king Nong-O Hama with a sensational first round knockout, and he would welcome a chance to cement his name in the atop the stacked weight class by taking out a world-class striker like Takeru.
Haggerty has no shortage of suitors, however, with both Liam Harrison and Rodtang actively pursuing a showdown with the Englishman. But a pairing with the Japanese icon could prove tempting.
