At ONE Championship 165 in Tokyo, Superlek Kiatmoo9 retained his flyweight kickboxing world title against K-1 legend Takeru Segawa in a thrilling bout. Superlek started strong and managed to survive a significant body shot in the third round that momentarily froze him. The judges awarded Superlek a unanimous decision victory, with all scoring the fight 49-46. Takeru gave an emotional post-fight interview, thanking the crowd and expressing his desire to empower the Japanese people following a recent earthquake. Superlek expressed his openness to rematches with either Rodtang or Takeru in the future.
#Superlek reflects on that wild third round with @takerusegawa at #ONE165 #ONEChampionship https://t.co/Wp9BsEcT8k
Props to Kade Ruotolo for offering to fight Shinya Aoki in MMA and then grapple Tammy Langaker in the ONE 165 co-main event on the same night. The Ruotolo twins are just built different. Upstanding gents too, and looking forward to seeing them cross over to MMA.… https://t.co/DoUq8rBBPB
Asked @yodchatri at the ONE 165 post fight presser about the Sage Northcutt saga in Tokyo on Sunday. Here's the incredible tale. Props to ONE Championship for putting something together so quickly on the fly. https://t.co/zFdm13n126
Another note about corners in ONE. Superlek only had one of his guys in Tokyo. He’s recently left Yokkao. He just said f*** it, grabbed Sitthichai (who had just been KOd by Marat) and Sitsongpeenong boss Tristian Dharmajiva and went out there and beat No 3 P4P Takeru. In the… https://t.co/yRVdqT7t4I
Here’s the left kick to the liver that got Superlek. Still don’t know how he survived. And boy was it loud in there. “My body froze up,” he told me. “When Takeru threw that flurry he connected really well. I just tried not to go down. Just grinding my way to the 4th round.”… https://t.co/Zp5P398Xkm
As per Chatri in the post-event presser for #ONE165, Kade Ruotolo wanted to step in for Sage and fight Shinya Aoki for his MMA debut before going on to defend his submission grappling belt in the co-main. It was being considered before they decided to put in John Lineker. Wild. https://t.co/5cbVSbbBxp
Check out the BEST photos from the epic ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title showdown at ONE 165 in Tokyo, Japan! 📸 @takerusegawa Watch the ONE 165 full event replay 🇯🇵 Abema PPV 👉 https://t.co/xQ4Ifm5rwD 🌍 Global PPV 👉 https://t.co/8azyYuylvH https://t.co/bhgxB5lgDV
Photo: Takeru Reveals Horrific Thigh Damage After Leg Kick Onslaught https://t.co/9Akt1xbzJR
Takeru shares gruesome photo of badly bruised leg after Superlek loss https://t.co/qLxBcxCcM8
Piece from a crazy night on ONE Championship's long-awaited return to Tokyo. Superlek and Takeru deliver instant classic as advertised, but visa saga surrounding Sage Northcutt causes just as big a stir. For @sportskeedaMMA https://t.co/HzMpvXddxg
Kade Ruotolo traps ‘em 😈 Watch the #ONE165 full event replay 🇯🇵 Abema PPV 👉 https://t.co/xQ4Ifm5rwD 🌍 Global PPV 👉 https://t.co/8azyYuylvH https://t.co/WQjnVz8tL4
Takeru’s leg after his fight vs Superlek 😳 In the ONE 165 main event, reigning flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 put his world title on the line against K-1 legend Takeru Segawa. Result: Superlek defeated Takeru Segawa via unanimous decision to retain the… https://t.co/3ikcETLIFa
Takeru shared more photos from the impact of those Superlek leg kicks at #ONE165 😳 https://t.co/ztSekHgPOz
Here’s Takeru’s left leg after last night’s fight against Superlek at ONE 165 in Tokyo. He also revealed he has a fractured knee and “can’t walk”. #ONEChampionship https://t.co/49ZMNNquG3
Nothing but respect 🙏 Watch the #ONE165 full event replay 🇯🇵 Abema PPV 👉 https://t.co/xQ4Ifm4TH5 🌍 Global PPV 👉 https://t.co/8azyYuxNG9 https://t.co/VLH6tw619v
Superlek on Takeru potentially looking past him. “I’m nobody’s stepping stone.” Full interview for @sportskeedaMMA here: https://t.co/HQxR6jwzM8 #ONEChampionship #ONE165 https://t.co/lGZU2GsrXc
Superlek 🇹🇭 walkout from #ONE165 🔥 It's become increasingly apparent that this man is a generational talent... #Superlek #ONEChampionship https://t.co/foDVFR9a7F
Good one with the champ for @sportskeedaMMA Superlek Sitsongpeenong has a nice ring to it. Superlek tells Takeru "I'm no stepping stone" | ONE 165 post fight interview #ONEChampionship https://t.co/HQxR6jwzM8
Superlek vs Takeru scorecard. 49-46 from all three judges, Shane Byrne, Ricky Sewell and Jonny Betts. #ONEChampionship #ONE165 https://t.co/k9ApxOHqdr
Chatri: “I have very big plans for Superlek. He is the No 1 in the world.” “If Japanese fans or fans around the world didn’t know him, tonight they do.” #ONEChampionship #ONE165 @sportskeedaMMA https://t.co/gfUAKdqcwe
Chatri: “I have very big plans for Superlek. He is the No 1 in the world.” “If Japanese fans or fans around didn’t know him, tonight they do.” Says flyweight not a problem now after champion started working with new nutritionist. #ONEChampionship #ONE165 @sportskeedaMMA https://t.co/GmWddxAesX
Chatri: “I have very big plans for Superlek. He is the No 1 in the world.” Says flyweight not a problem now after champion started working with new nutritionist. #ONEChampionship #ONE165 @sportskeedaMMA https://t.co/wd27rHTana
Takeru’s leg after his war with Superlek 🤕 https://t.co/u3ieXZJG1r
Superlek says “my body literally froze” after a shot from Takeru in the third round. “I had to do whatever it takes to survive.” #ONEChampionship #ONE165 @sportskeedaMMA https://t.co/0ieOE94JBG
Seeking the Superlek vs Takeru scorecards but am told all three judges scored it 4-1 Superlek. #ONEChampionship #ONE165
Kade Ruotolo looking unstoppable right now and he's only going to get better. Meanwhile, it will be exciting to see what he can do in Mixed Martial Arts. He says he's been putting in the work... #ONE165 #KadeRuotolo https://t.co/khlpCTpeCR
Beautiful shot of the champ. #ONE165 #Superlek https://t.co/eib8HnOWa2
Here's how all of the STELLAR bouts went down at ONE 165 💥 Which fight was your favorite? 👀 Watch the ONE 165 full event replay 🇯🇵 Abema PPV 👉 https://t.co/xQ4Ifm4TH5 🌍 Global PPV 👉 https://t.co/8azyYuxNG9 #ONE165 #ONEChampionship https://t.co/BqMnGKsM22
Post-fight interview with @k1takeru 😢 The kickboxing icon said he gave everything and wanted to give power to the Japanese people, especially following the recent earthquake tragedy. #ONE165 #Kickboxing #Japan #Jkick #Takeru #ONEchampionship #Tokyo #Superlek https://t.co/oAm8Io0qjU
Superlek was dishing out some beautiful knees throughout. Worked wonders in the fifth as Takeru continued to march forward. Sizzling atmosphere for the main event 👌 #ONE165 #Takeru #Superlek https://t.co/q881IFHBCe
.@yodchatri tells me at the post fight presser Kade Ruotolo was begging him to let him step in and fight Shinya Aoki in MMA - as well as defending his grappling title later in the night. There was a mad scramble to find a new opponent after Sage Northcutt told him during the…
That third round from Takeru tore the roof off. A rematch at some point would be interesting. #ONE165 #Superlek #Takeru https://t.co/c3Pam9CZk7
Superlek is the goat
Superlek says he's down for rematches with #Rodtang or #Takeru and wants to bring the belt back to Thailand. #ONE165 https://t.co/qTzZbeFKyJ
An emotional, tearful Takeru after the fight thanks the Ariake Arena crowd in Tokyo. Don’t think I’ve ever heard a louder roar than when he unloaded that barrage on Superlek in the third. @sportskeedaMMA #ONEChampionship #ONE165 https://t.co/7DsZ2YrkpZ
The judges agreed with you, D! A great W for Superlek! #ONE165 https://t.co/75g901BgVw
That last round was very close. Honestly it could be a 10-10. Either way, I have Superlek winning the fight. #ONE165
Superlek 1,2,4,5. Incredible fight. #ONE165
Superlek thinks he has done enough. Here comes @yodchatri with the belt. @sportskeedaMMA #ONEChampionship https://t.co/lV74e2eSBW
This is absolute box office. What a fight! #SuperlekvsTakeru #ONE165 https://t.co/o4bcYyIhd5
How did Superlek survive that round. https://t.co/uOo9TiWOI2
FINALLY Takeru opens up. Murdering Superlek's body
Really strong start for Superlek. I don't know if Takeru has any answer for those low kicks. #ONE165
Takeru makes the walk. #ONEChampionship #one165 @sportskeedaMMA https://t.co/W9A84dqeKW
Kade Ruotolo gets the decision victory against Tommy Langaker and successfully defends his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling title 🏆🥋 #ONE165 https://t.co/0uUAGpQplk