Rodtang Vs. Takeru, Northcutt vs. Aoki Announced For ONE 165 In Tokyo On January 28
Two of the biggest stars in the striking world are set to collide in a blockbuster showdown early next year at ONE 165: Rodtang vs. Takeru.
On January 28, the world’s largest martial arts organization will return to Japan with a card headlined by a flyweight kickboxing super-fight between longtime ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Japanese megastar Takeru Segawa.
Also, former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki will finally square off against American phenom “Super” Sage Northcutt in a long-awaited contest.
The matchups at Ariake Arena were confirmed by ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong at a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday.
A veteran of 16 electrifying bouts in ONE, Rodtang has firmly established himself atop the Muay Thai food chain, successfully defending his World Title five times since winning the belt back in August 2019.
The Thai superstar most recently lost a razor-close decision to ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in September – his first defeat under all-striking rules in the organization.
Still, many fans believed “The Iron Man” deserved the nod, and the fight has been hailed as one of the best in modern-day Muay Thai history.
Meanwhile, Takeru has long been regarded as one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound kickboxers and arrives in ONE as the sport’s hottest free agent.
The 32-year-old is a multiple-time K-1 World Champion across three different weight classes, and he boasts a stunning 42-3 professional record with 25 victories coming by way of knockout.
Beyond each man’s impressive accomplishments on paper, the clash between Rodtang and Takeru is destined to produce fireworks.
In one corner, the Thai is beloved for his forward-marching, all-action approach to combat, along with his inimitable charisma both inside and outside the ring.
In the other corner, the promotional newcomer is a prodigiously skilled athlete and technician, owning a dynamic and explosive kicking game that reflects his black belt expertise in karate.
Between the duo’s elite talent, undeniable confidence, and incredible warrior spirits, fans should brace themselves for an instant classic.
Sage Northcutt Vs. Shinya Aoki
The high-stakes action doesn’t stop there, as ONE 165: Rodtang vs. Takeru will also feature an intriguing lightweight MMA battle between Sage Northcutt and Shinya Aoki.
The bout represents a clash between the new generation and the old guard, while it will also showcase the very best of both striking and grappling.
Northcutt started out as a karate prodigy and officially signed with ONE in late 2018. However, he suffered a painful defeat in his promotional debut in May 2019, forcing an extended stay on the sidelines as he recovered from injuries and continued to fine-tune his MMA game.
In May 2023, the 27-year-old Texas native returned in spectacular fashion, scoring a surprising first-round submission victory over Ahmed Mujtaba at ONE Fight Night 10 in Colorado, USA, and announcing his presence as a real threat to the lightweight MMA division’s elite.
Now, Northcutt looks to continue his climb and live up to the lofty expectations surrounding him when he takes on a famed submission specialist in Aoki.
A veteran of nearly 60 professional bouts – including 17 MMA fights in ONE – Aoki is one of the sport’s most respected stars and feared ground fighters.
Over the course of his illustrious career, “Tobikan Judan” owns 47 victories with 30 coming by way of submission. In addition, the Japanese icon is a four-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion.
Now, Aoki plans to earn another massive victory in his highly anticipated homecoming in the Japanese capital.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news and announcements about ONE 165: Rodtang vs. Takeru on January 28 in Tokyo, Japan.
