Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon has built his reputation on relentless aggression and unshakable confidence, but behind that persona is a fighter who understands the weight of expectation at the highest level. The Thai superstar faces Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa in a highly anticipated rematch for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE SAMURAI 1 on Wednesday, April 29, broadcasting live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The bout also marks the Japanese icon’s retirement fight, heightening the stakes for an already massive showdown.




As a global star and the pride of Thailand, every performance carries significance beyond the ring. Rodtang may have stopped his Japanese rival in 80 seconds in their first meeting at ONE 172 last year, but he understands this bout demands the same focus and intensity that has defined his rise in the world’s largest martial arts organization. That reality is something Rodtang does not shy away from:


“Of course, every fight is important. There is no fight that I can fight carelessly. There’s no fight without pressure. They are all pressure.
“I am here in the global stage. The pressure is undeniably high. In each fight, we perform as the representative of Thailand. We are Thai fighters. The key thing is no one wants to lose. I don’t want anyone to beat me.”

A victory in Tokyo would place “The Iron Man” among a rare class of two-sport ONE World Champions, further cementing his legacy across disciplines. But the path to that opportunity has not been without setbacks. In November 2024, Rodtang was stripped of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title on the scale ahead of his bout at ONE 169, a moment that forced him to confront both public criticism and personal disappointment. Rather than deflect or downplay the situation, the 28-year-old has chosen to face it directly, framing it as part of the responsibility that comes with competing at the highest level.

Rodtang addressed the situation with clarity and accountability:

“Some people said I lost my [World] Championship because of my own behavior. I would say people make mistakes in all kinds of professions and sports. If the mistakes stem from my side, I can fix them.
“Fighting with my opponents, I never missed. I always put my all. I am sure I’m serious enough to beat every opponent I’m facing.”




ONE Championship features a hydration testing protocol designed to ensure athletes remain safe while performing at the highest level. For Rodtang Jitmuangnon, who has competed in the flyweight division for years, that process requires careful balance and discipline, as fighters manage both their conditioning and overall physical well-being.

The 28-year-old explained:

“ONE Championship is very strict in weighing and water percentage. It is very challenging for all fighters, including a highly experienced one like me, because you need to keep yourself hydrated while reducing your body weight.
“Honestly, that is very challenging. But everyone made it. And then one day, I made that mistake. It is inevitable. I just accept the reality and keep going. That’s all.”



While the system is designed to prioritize athlete safety, the onus falls on each competitor to prepare accordingly. The emotional impact of falling short can linger beyond the scale, but Rodtang is careful not to let that moment define who he is as a fighter. Instead, the Jitmuangnon product continues to approach his career with the same mindset that has driven him to the top of the sport, grounded in both experience and self-awareness.

His perspective is shaped by years of competing in the same division, balancing risk and reward with each decision he makes:

“I had been fighting this way for seven or eight years. It is a bit tiring, but I still want to do it because if I’m ranked up to a higher weight range, there would be so many disadvantages. And I would get hurt.
“So, I chose to stay in this weight range as long as I could, no matter how exhausting it makes me. I will eventually make it one day in some fights.”

That long-term outlook reflects a fighter who understands both the limits of his body and the demands of his profession, while continuing to push forward in pursuit of his goals. As he prepares for his ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title clash against Takeru at ONE SAMURAI 1, Rodtang is not only focused on performance, but also on how he is perceived by fans across the world. In a sport where outcomes are often reduced to wins and losses, he believes there is something more meaningful that can be taken from each fight.

He offered:

“I want to be loved by everyone because it’s a sport. People win and people lose. I would like the world, including Takeru’s Japanese fans, to appreciate both Takeru and me.”



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