In a highly anticipated showdown, the Asian martial arts organization ONE Championship is set to present the exciting event, ONE172, on March 23, 2025 at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The main event will feature the clash of titans as Takeru, a former three-division K-1 champion, goes head-to-head with Rodtang Jitmuangnon, the former ONE flyweight Muay Thai champion.
This competition will be monumental, particularly for Takeru, who signed a multiple-match contract with ONE in April 2023 specifically to battle Rodtang. Originally, the two were supposed to meet during Takeru's ONE debut on January 28, 2024, but the bout was canceled due to Rodtang's injury. Consequently, Takeru replaced Rodtang with Superlek Kiatmoo9 but faced a tough match, leading to his decision to consider retirement.
Bouncing back from adversity, Takeru made a statement with a KO victory over Tan Jin on September 28, 2024. This comeback has reignited his ambitions, leading to the sought-after fight against Rodtang. During a recent press conference, Takeru reflected on the significance of this match declaring, “I want to have the best fight with Rodtang. It’s fated for us to meet after everything we've been through.”
In the face of the challenge, Takeru emphasized his engagement in a fight that not only represents his career culmination but also showcases the strength of Japanese martial arts on a global stage. “I hope that through this fight, we can show the world the power of Japanese fighters,” he added.
Conversely, Rodtang expressed his respect for Takeru, expressing, “It’s an honor to fight Takeru. I’ve trained hard for this match, and I am confident I will win by knockout.” The intense rivalry between the two fighters is expected to result in an electrifying contest.
The co-main event will see Takeru’s teammate, Masahiro Noiri, contest Tawanchai PK Saenchai in an interim featherweight title match, further adding to the excitement surrounding the event. Noiri remarked, “I came to ONE to win a title and to win alongside Takeru, aiming for victory in our fights.”
ONE172 will unfold at a fitting venue, Saitama Super Arena, known for its capacity of about 37,000, starting at 4:00 PM JST with 14 fights scheduled. The main event featuring Takeru vs. Rodtang is expected to start around 9:00 PM JST, yet it may fluctuate based on earlier match outcomes.
The event will be broadcast live on U-NEXT, serving as the exclusive pay-per-view platform. Notably, advance tickets are priced at 5000 yen while same-day tickets are available for 5500 yen, and archived tickets cost 4500 yen.
In a promotional effort, U-NEXT is also running a cashback campaign, allowing viewers a chance to receive a full or half refund on PPV ticket purchases made from March 19 to March 27, 2025, thus encouraging fans to engage vigorously with this grand sporting event.
This martial arts extravaganza not only highlights a legendary match but reaffirms the overwhelming popularity of kickboxing and Muay Thai in Asia and beyond. With Takeru and Rodtang ready to unleash their skills in the ring, fans are eager for what promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with thrill and intensity.
As the date approaches, anticipation builds for ONE172 as it aims to illustrate the pinnacle of martial arts competitions, solidifying itself as a significant event in martial arts history.
