Takeru Segawa is practically in peak shape ahead of his return. Now it's up to him to completely steel his resolve heading into ONE Friday Fights 81.
The Japanese megastar will take on Burmese slugger Thant Zin in a flyweight kickboxing matchup at the historic Lumpinee Stadium on September 27.
Takeru spent more than a month training in California before his return, but he's since returned to his home nation of Japan to polish his game plan several weeks before the card.
In an Instagram post, Takeru wrote that he pushed his body to its limits in preparing for his matchup against Thant Zin in Bangkok.
Takeru Segawa wrote:
"There are less than two weeks until the game. I felt like my mind and body were worn out before this match. Because I don't know how many more times I can feel it I'll take it one day at a time and get it done. I'll definitely win."
'The Natural Born Crusher' is one of the greatest Japanese martial artists of all time, and has a legitimate case to be the best kickboxer the country has produced.
Takeru is the only three-division K-1 Kickboxing world champion in the promotion's history, and he finally made his ONE Championship debut earlier this year at ONE 165.
In front of his Tokyo home fans, Takeru challenged Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title.
Despite his inspiring performance, including a near finish in the third round, Takeru ultimately lost to Superlek via unanimous decision.
Takeru now looks to chalk up his first win in ONE Championship when he faces Thant Zin in the Thai capital city.
Superlek believes he and Takeru Segawa will have an inevitable rematch
Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Takeru Segawa's monstrous super fight in January this year won't be a one-off encounter between the two legends.
If Superlek gets his predictions right, a rematch against Takeru is practically inevitable.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Superlek said:
"I believe that when the time is right, we will get a rematch where we will face each other again."