The five-round main event superfight will take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
On Thursday morning at a press conference in Tokyo, ONE Championship unveiled the massive main event for its return to Japan. ONE 165 will finally see the flyweight kickboxing dream match between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa happen.
The flyweight strikers have each been public in their want for a match with the other. The match seemed inevitable when Takeru signed with ONE back in April of 2023. Now, it finally has a date.
Rodtang has become a global superstar with his non-stop aggression inside the ring. It has carried him to the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship and the #1 ranking in the kickboxing division.
Takeru stands atop the kickboxing world in Japan. The national hero is impeccable when the spotlight shines upon him with a 42-3 career mark.
ONE also announced that the lightweight MMA battle between Sage Northcutt and Shinya Aoki will also happen on the card.
The two stars have called each other out on social media in the last year, with Aoki’s colorful language setting the stage for the rivalry.
Northcutt returned in May following a four-year absence due to injury. In his return, he stunned fans with a 39-second submission win at ONE Fight Night 10. He is looking for another victory to put himself in the title hunt against the former divisional king.
The two marquee bouts were made official and help set the stage for an incredible 2024 for the promotion.
ONE 165 airs live from Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, January 28. More bout announcements will follow in the weeks to come.