Takeru vs. Rodtang: 4 Key Strategies for Victory in Kickboxing Super-Fight at ONE 172

rry a speed advantage over “The Iron Man,” and he’ll get the most out of that advantage if he focuses on his trademark boxing combinations, forcing the Thai on the defensive while testing his legendary chin.

#2 Rodtang’s Superhuman Durability

Like Takeru, Rodtang often does his best work when he’s got his man trapped against the ropes, where he can unleash his heavy hands in furious combinations.

In order to pressure “The Natural Born Crusher,” he’ll need to do what he’s done throughout his 18-fight career in ONE and trust in his granite chin, absurd durability, and never-ending aggression.

If Takeru has one weakness, it’s that he can be overwhelmed by forward-moving aggression – which is Rodtang’s specialty. Look for the Muay Thai legend to happily absorb one, two, or even three shots as he marches forward and into punching range, where he’ll hunt for the knockout.

#3 Takeru’s Dynamic Lead Leg

The 33-year-old is just as fast with his dangerous lead leg as he is with his hands, and against Rodtang, he’ll undoubtedly employ a dynamic and unpredictable kicking game.

With his background in karate and prodigious athletic gifts, Takeru is able to throw his lead leg in a wide range of situations, whether he’s punishing his foe’s legs with traditional kicks, stabbing at the body with a front kick, or looking for the kill shot with a speedy head kick.

While Rodtang is a battle-tested veteran who has spent years fighting the best strikers on the planet, he’s likely never encountered such an unorthodox and dynamic kicker as Takeru.

#4 Rodtang’s Crippling Leg Kicks

In general, “The Iron Man” is most dangerous when he’s bombing away with his hands, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a well-rounded striker capable of using every weapon at his disposal.

To that end, look for him to utilize leg kicks to punish Takeru’s lower body.

Rodtang’s friend and former foe, Superlek, found plenty of success landing leg kicks against Takeru, laying out the game plan to defeat the Japanese superstar.

And because “The Iron Man” tends to fight at a more careful, measured pace in kickboxing, he’s more likely to finish his punching combinations with leg kicks.

Fans should expect the Thai to showcase some of his lesser-used strikes against Takeru as he looks to emerge victorious in this massive super-fight.