ONE Championship Sues Rodtang Two Weeks Before Takeru Rematch

BANGKOK – The world of combat sports has been rocked by a major legal battle. ONE Championship, one of the globe’s largest martial arts promotions, has officially launched legal action against its biggest star, Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

This dramatic escalation comes just two weeks before Rodtang is scheduled to face Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa in a highly anticipated rematch. The move has thrown the status of the fight—and the future of the “Iron Man”—into serious doubt.

The tension between Rodtang and ONE Championship has been simmering for months, but it reached a boiling point on Tuesday. The promotion confirmed that it has initiated legal proceedings against the Thai fighter across three different countries: Singapore, Japan, and Thailand.

According to a statement released by ONE Championship, the lawsuit is based on:

Multiple breaches of contract: The organization claims Rodtang failed to meet his professional obligations.
Providing misleading information: Accusations that the fighter shared inaccurate details regarding his contractual status.
Defamatory statements: ONE alleges that Rodtang made harmful comments that damaged the promotion’s reputation.

The promotion stated that they have a “strict policy” regarding such violations and are seeking appropriate damages. They noted that while they tried to work with the fighter in good faith, the repeated disregard for his contract forced their hand.

Rodtang’s Defense Against ONE Championship

Rodtang has not stayed silent. The 28-year-old fighter has taken to social media to share his side of the story, painting a picture of a relationship that has turned sour due to alleged exploitation.

Rodtang’s claims center on several key issues:

Contract Expiry: Rodtang publicly claimed that his contract with ONE had expired, making him a free agent. However, ONE sources insist he is still bound by a 12-month matching clause, which gives them the right to match any offer from rival promotions.
Signature Forgery: In a shocking allegation, Rodtang claimed that his signature was forged on multiple documents. He says he originally signed a single page in English, but later discovered his name on over 30 pages of legal text.
Language Barriers: The fighter has repeatedly pointed out that he cannot read or speak English fluently. He claims he signed the documents in 2022 in “good faith” but did not receive a full copy of the agreement until November 2025.

“I don’t want to quarrel or have problems with anyone,” Rodtang wrote on social media. “But when I’ve been treated like this, I just want to fight for what is right.”

The Road to the Takeru Rematch

The timing of this lawsuit is particularly damaging for fight fans. Rodtang was set to headline ONE Samurai 1 on April 29 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The event was designed to launch ONE’s new monthly series in Japan and was billed as the retirement fight for Takeru Segawa.

The first fight between the two in March 2025 was a massive success, with Rodtang reportedly earning nearly $470,000 for his knockout victory. The rematch was expected to be one of the biggest combat sports events of the year.

As of now, the status of the fight is “uncertain.” While Rodtang is still in training, the legal battle in three jurisdictions makes his appearance in the ring a complex legal hurdle.

NE Championship Sues Rodtang

A Pattern of Friction

This isn’t the first time Rodtang has clashed with the organization. Friction began to show in late 2024 when he lost his Flyweight Muay Thai world title on the scale after missing weight.

Financial Disagreements: Reports suggest Rodtang’s guaranteed purse dropped significantly after he lost his belt, leading to public expressions of frustration.
Health Issues: A planned bout with Nong-O Hama in November 2025 was cancelled at the last minute after Rodtang fell ill and was hospitalized.
Cryptic Messages: For months, Rodtang has posted cryptic messages on social media, often hinting at his unhappiness with his treatment and earnings.

The legal situation is now moving through the courts and police channels. On the same day ONE announced the lawsuit, Rodtang visited the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok to file a formal complaint, stating his “limit of patience” had been reached.

Industry experts are watching closely. If ONE’s contract is upheld, the promotion could effectively prevent Rodtang from fighting anywhere else for a significant period. On the other hand, if Rodtang can prove forgery or that he was misled into signing a contract he couldn’t understand, it could lead to a landmark shift in how fighter contracts are handled in Asia.

For the fans in Tokyo and those watching around the world, the question remains: Will the “Iron Man” walk out to the ring on April 29, or has his final fight with ONE already happened in a courtroom?

Key Takeaways from the Dispute

Global Legal Action: ONE is suing in Thailand, Singapore, and Japan.
Rematch at Risk: The April 29 fight against Takeru is in jeopardy.
Fighter Allegations: Rodtang claims forgery and a lack of transparency regarding English-language documents.
Promotion Stance: ONE cites repeated breaches of contract and defamation.

The situation continues to evolve daily. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.