Nadaka shares spotlight with Takeru once again at ONE SAMURAI 4, as the reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion prepares to defend his title while one of Japan’s greatest combat sports stars receives a historic honor.
Nadaka will defend his atomweight Muay Thai crown against Rifdean Masdor in the co-main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on October 17. On the same night, retired kickboxing legend Takeru Segawa will be inducted into the ONE Hall of Fame.
The event marks another significant moment for both athletes, whose paths first crossed at ONE SAMURAI 1.
That night, Nadaka successfully defended his title against Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, while Takeru closed out his legendary career with a memorable victory over Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Ahead of their latest appearance on the same card, Nadaka shares spotlight with Takeru and reflected on the impact the Japanese icon had on him.
“It was his retirement fight, plus a revenge match against a guy who’d beaten him before, and it was also the main event of the show—every kind of pressure you could stack on someone,” Nadaka said. “And under all that, he put together the best version of himself, the best performance of his career.”
Takeru ended his career in dramatic fashion at ONE SAMURAI 1, stopping Rodtang in the fifth round to capture the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title and avenge a previous defeat.
While Nadaka watched the fight unfold, he was unable to experience the atmosphere from inside the arena because of his own post-fight responsibilities.
“I actually got pulled into doping testing right around then,” Nadaka said. “There was a monitor there, so I did watch the whole thing on screen, but missing out on feeling that live in the arena—that’s a regret I’ll carry for life.”
The Japanese star enters the bout against Masdor riding a remarkable 42-fight unbeaten streak and looking to further cement his status as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound talents.
Although he greatly admires Takeru, Nadaka insists he has no intention of trying to replicate the kickboxing legend’s journey.
Instead, he plans to continue relying on the technical style and disciplined approach that have fueled his success.
“I don’t think I have that kind of pull yet, that ability to move the whole scene by myself,” Nadaka said.“What matters more for me is not losing myself, sticking firmly to my own style.”
