ONE 172 Official Press Conference Highlights And Best Quotes 

Tokyo, Japan: ONE Championship™ (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, held the official pre-event press conference for ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, featuring ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong along with many of the top superstars competing at the stacked March 23 event.

In the main event, #2-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender Takeru Segawa of Japan squares off against #1-ranked contender and former longtime ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon of Thailand in a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight.

The blockbuster card also features five World Title fights.

In the co-main event, ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai aims for two-sport glory when he faces Japanese superstar Masaaki Noiri for the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title. 

Plus, reigning two-sport ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 battles interim titleholder Nabil Anane in a ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title unification match, longtime rivals Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu rematch for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title, former divisional kings Jonathan Di Bella and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao meet for the ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Title, and Japanese sensation Kana Morimoto challenges Thai phenom Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom for the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title.

ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang will be broadcast live on Sunday, March 23, from the iconic Saitama Sports Arena in Japan. Fans around the world can visit watch.onefc.com to purchase the global pay-per-view (PPV), while those in Japan can purchase it via U-NEXT.

ONE would like to thank ONE 172 Exclusive Japan PPV Partner U-NEXT, Global Energy Drink Partner Monster Energy, Global Blockchain Partner Walrus, and Supporting Partners Eminers and CPA Excellent Partners. 

BEST QUOTES

Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Chairman and CEO: “My prediction for the main event is somebody’s going to get knocked out. Takeru is going to knock out Rodtang, or Rodtang is going to knock out Takeru. But this fight is honestly one of the biggest fights in kickboxing history. Sixty years of history around the world, fans from all over the world are so excited, and it’s going to be an absolutely explosive, explosive fight.”

Takeru Segawa, #2-Ranked Flyweight Kickboxing Contender: “I fought in K-1 and won three divisional championships, and for the last challenge of my career, I chose ONE Championship. And the reason is Rodtang. He’s number one. He’s been a champion for a long time, and if I beat Rodtang, I’ll be number one in the world. So this is my reason for this challenge.”

Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion: “I’m really happy to fight Takeru this time. I’ve been watching Takeru, his path in his career, and [his fight with] Tenshin. And for the fight, I’ll be representing ONE Championship, and I’m looking forward to a great fight on fight day.”

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.