Chatri Sityodtong salutes Takeru Segawa’s legacy, keeps door open for Rodtang after ONE SAMURAI 1

He walked into Ariake Arena haunted by nightmares and doubts about whether his body would hold. He walked out a ONE World Champion. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong watched every second of it, and he had plenty to say.

Takeru Segawa stopped Rodtang Jitmuangnon in the fifth round to claim the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE SAMURAI 1, on April 29 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, closing his professional career at 46-5.

Takeru put Rodtang down twice in the second round, survived a fourth-round war, and sealed the finish in the fifth. It erased the 80-second knockout Rodtang had delivered at ONE 172 last March and gave Takeru the retirement ending he had chased since that loss landed. Chatri took to the mic in the post-fight press conference to address both fighters after the bout.

The adversity that shaped this performance was well-documented before fight night. Takeru had spoken openly about the nightmares that visited him in the weeks before the bout and his fear that his body might not answer when he needed it most. He accepted whatever would come. What came was a championship. For Chatri, that arc tells the full story.

“We saw the best Takeru and the knockout,” Chatri said. “This is how I want Japan and the world to remember him. He overcame so much adversity and I have so much love and respect for him.”

Chatri Sityodtong opens the door for Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s comeback

Takeru Segawa’s victory came at Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s expense, and Chatri did not avoid that. The Thai superstar suffered only the second loss of his ONE Championship striking career, following a 2023 loss to Superlek Kiatmoo9.

Rodtang has defined ONE’s flyweight division for years, and Chatri made clear the door remains open — but only on one condition.

The path back requires the same hunger that built Rodtang’s reputation. Chatri set the terms plainly and without hesitation.

“Of course, very sad for Rodtang. I know he’s heartbroken,” he said.

“But he’s a world champion fighter. If he recommits himself to training, learning, growing, and if he’s hungry again, he can be on top of the world.”