Japanese kickboxing superstar Takeru Segawa will need a few weeks to walk off his ONE 165 main event defeat.
‘The Natural Born Crusher’ fell to ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in his ONE Championship debut on Sunday, January 28, but it’s the state of his left leg that has fans squirming.
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In front of an adoring home crowd at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, Takeru absorbed numerous leg kicks from ‘The Kicking Machine’ throughout the five-round world title contest.
Incredibly, the 32-year-old soldiered on until the final bell, seemingly unbothered by the damage that his leg had evidently taken at the hands of one of the most ferocious kickers on the planet.
Takeru enjoyed his best moment of the fight in round three, where he showed off the lightning-fast hands that saw him join ONE as the hottest free agent in combat sports in 2023.
In the end, it was Superlek who landed the more telling shots throughout the pulsating contest. The Thai star deservingly had his hand raised in victory and remained ONE’s flyweight kickboxing king.
In his Instagram story, Takeru said he was taken to the hospital immediately after the fight.
He said he could not walk and was “very grateful” that friends were able to help him get back to his house.
Takeru Segawa suffers under the power of ‘The Kicking Machine’
Takeru, for his part, was left to lick his wounds in the wake of ONE 165.
He was almost inconsolable during his post-fight interview, during which he expressed his disappointment that he was unable to pull off a victory for his legion of Japanese fans after the country had suffered through its latest earthquake on New Year’s Day.
The Sagamihara native will also rue his inability to defend the relentless barrage of leg kicks he copped in the fight and, in recent days, he has updated his fans with the grisly aftermath.
“Thank you for the many comments and messages. Feeling uplifted by the words from everyone. I’m happy when your battle is someone’s strength to live,” he wrote in the caption.
“Superlek was really strong. I had a fractured knee and can’t walk now. I can’t think of anything but staying firm and positive.
“Take a break and answer within yourself. I will report again. Thank you so much for all your support.”
Takeru signed with ONE to much fanfare last year after a stellar career in his native Japan that yielded several K-1 championships across multiple weight classes.
Many were clamouring for a dream matchup with ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai kingpin Rodtang Jitmuangnon upon his arrival, and their wish was momentarily granted.
The blockbuster fight was announced for ONE 165’s main event before a hand injury forced Rodtang to withdraw. As it turns out, Superlek was a more-than-capable replacement.
Another thrilling edition of the ONE Championship unfolds with Friday Fights 50 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Plenty of action-packed Muay Thai and mixed martial arts contests fill the Friday night card. The action is headlined by an explosive Muay Thai showdown between Yodphupa and Komawut in the catchweight class.
