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‘Going To Win This’ – Takeru Segawa And Yuya Wakamatsu Ready To Deliver Statement Victories For Japan At ONE Samurai 1
Japan has always been a stage for the world’s finest martial artists. On April 29, two of the country’s greatest warriors will carry the flag at ONE Samurai 1.
The inaugural event at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena marks the beginning of a new monthly series dedicated to showcasing Japan’s elite on the global stage.
Leading the charge is Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa, who steps into the main event knowing it will be his last. The three-division K-1 Champion faces Thai destroyer Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a rematch for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title.
Elsewhere on the card, ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu defends his throne against dangerous Uzbek Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev.
Ahead of the biggest night of their careers, both Japanese warriors reflected on what this historic occasion means to them.
Takeru Determined To End Career On His Own Terms
After nearly two decades of giving everything to the sport, Takeru Segawa is finally ready to walk away — but not without one final statement.
For a fighter who reshaped what was possible in kickboxing, choosing how to exit matters as much as the journey itself. And there was only one opponent worthy of a final act.
Leaving without facing Rodtang one more time was never an option. When the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion agreed to the rematch, Takeru’s farewell finally had its ending.
“Natural Born Krusher” said:
“I’m incredibly happy to be able to fight Rodtang again in my final professional bout. Ever since before I joined ONE, all I’ve ever thought about was defeating Rodtang.”
That obsession nearly consumed him whole. At ONE 172 last March, Rodtang ended their first encounter in just 80 seconds — a single left hook that stopped the fight before it could truly begin.
The shock of that night sent the Japanese legend spiraling toward retirement, questioning everything he had built.
But the Bushido spirit does not break. Takeru channeled that pain into an emphatic second-round TKO of Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric at ONE 173, earning him a US$50,000 performance bonus.
Now, the 34-year-old sees every scar as part of a larger design:
“Looking back, I believe that even my previous loss was all part of the story, leading to this retirement fight where I turn everything around and claim the belt.”
That perspective defines what makes Takeru extraordinary. Throughout a career built on discipline, sacrifice, and an unbreakable will, he has always carried Japan’s hopes on his shoulders without flinching.
For Takeru, this final fight is not just about a ONE World Title. It’s about leaving the sport with his legacy intact — proof that a true champion never stops fighting, no matter the odds.
The Team Vasileus standout vowed:
“I will prove once and for all that Takeru is at the center of the combat sports world. I’m going to win this.”
Wakamatsu Promises To Repay Faithful Fans In Second Title Defense
Few champions in ONE Championship have earned their throne the hard way quite like Yuya Wakamatsu.
Even after realizing his lifelong dream of capturing the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title, the doubters lingered. He had stumbled at the highest level before, and some wondered whether history might repeat itself.
Wakamatsu silenced every last one of them at ONE 173, denying ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio two-division glory with an emphatic second-round TKO.
Now a new challenge stands before him. Avazbek Kholmirzaev has torn through the flyweight division with a ferocity that demands respect, which Wakamatsu is not taking lightly.
The Kagoshima native said:
“He is an extremely aggressive fighter with a high level of skill across striking, takedowns, and submissions. In particular, his right leg kicks are very dangerous.”
Respect for the opponent, however, has not dulled his hunger. Behind closed doors, Wakamatsu has worked tirelessly to evolve beyond the explosive finisher the world already knows.
Every aspect of his game has been refined, every weakness addressed. He arrives at ONE Samurai 1 as a complete martial artist.
The TRIBE Tokyo MMA affiliate shared:
“I want to give everything I have and show the skills and mental strength I have built up over the years at ONE Samurai 1. I am confident that fans will see a new side of Yuya Wakamatsu — and honestly, I can’t wait to see what kind of fight I can put on myself.”
Yet for Wakamatsu, the stakes extend beyond the belt.
The roar of a hometown crowd has fueled him before. He knows that energy comes with responsibility — to the fans who never stopped believing during his long road to the top.
The flyweight MMA king concluded:
“Thank you so much for always supporting me. I will show you everything I’ve got in this fight — please look forward to it!”
