“I’ll show you” - Rodtang Jitmuangnon answers Takeru Segawa’s call after intense face-off in Bangkok
It was the matchup that was promised, and Rodtang Jitmuangnon is determined to put his best foot forward when he finally meets Takeru Segawa.
While things are yet to be made official, all signs point toward a massive showdown between Rodtang and Takeru after the Japanese megastar's knockout win at ONE Friday Fights 81.
Takeru weathered some early adversity and knocked out Thant Zin in the second round of their flyweight kickboxing match this past Friday at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Rodtang was in attendance inside the Bangkok arena and gladly stepped between the ropes during Takeru's post-fight interview with ONE Championship commentator Mitch Chilson.
The two striking megastars didn't waste time building the hype for their potential matchup, and Rodtang hammered it home a few hours later on Facebook.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon wrote on the social media platform that he's ready to show Takeru why he's one of the most feared fighters on the planet.
"Strong or not, I will show you. I am really ready. 👊👊👊🇹🇭"
Takeru was supposed to fight the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion in a kickboxing super fight in his ONE Championship debut at ONE 165 in Tokyo. Rodtang, however, had to pull out of the January card due to an injured left hand.
In Rodtang's absence, Superlek Kiatmoo9 stepped up to the plate and put his ONE flyweight kickboxing world title on the line against the former three-division K-1 Kickboxing world champion in the card's main event.
Takeru fell to Superlek via unanimous decision dispute a spirited effort that saw him get a near-finish in the third round of their super fight.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon isn't counting Jacob Smith out ahead of Atlanta world title defense
Although Rodtang Jitmuangnon's already looking forward to his matchup with Takeru, he must first take care of business in the United States for ONE 169: Atlanta.
Rodtang will defend his ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title against Jacob Smith on Nov. 8 at State Farm Arena.
In an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Rodtang said Smith is an exciting opponent to have due to the British slugger's immense durability:
"His durability. He's very tough and he doesn't give up."
Rodtang owns a unanimous decision win over Smith when they squared off in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix at ONE 157 in Singapore.