Takeru Segawa left without an opponent as Black Panther Withdraws from Fight

Takeru SegawaTakeru Segawa was set to face Black Panther later this year booked for ONE Friday Fights 81 on September…

Takeru Segawa

Takeru Segawa was set to face Black Panther later this year booked for ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27. It is reported that Thailand’s Black Panther has been forced to withdraw from this match.

Black Panther Injured Against Takeru Segawa

The Japanese-born striker Takeru Segawa is a well-decorated athlete in kickboxing. The 33-year-old has captured three weight class titles in K-1, and defended one, he has earned three K-1 Grand Prix world championships. Well-known as an aggressive knockout striker, he took his talents on the road to ONE Championship, mainly to face the Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

Due to an injury, Rodtang withdrew from their scheduled fight and Takeru was then scheduled to face the top-ranked pound-for-pound Muay Thai fighter Superlek Kiatmoo9. After five rounds of action, Takeru could barely walk after the kicking onslaught from Superlek.

Next, Takeru Segawa was set to face the streaking 24-year-old Black Panther who is a Muay Thai fighter who has never competed in kickboxing. According to insider sources, Black Panther has suffered an injury and is withdrawing from the fight. No official opponent has been named to replace him just yet for ONE Friday Fights 81.

Takeru Segawa

“According to credible sources, Black Panther has withdrawn from his fight against Takeru at ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27. A replacement has already been secured and will be announced soon.”

Speaking in an interview, Takeru explained his determination to succeed in fight sports. He said:

“I had always dreamed of becoming a Kickboxing Champion when I was a child. I was watching K-1 on TV, and I saw a lot of karate practitioners, and I admired them. I thought if I did karate, maybe I could enter K-1. I always wanted to do kickboxing, but there were no kickboxing gyms in the neighborhood when I was a kid, so I started karate when I was in second grade

After making up his mind and training for years, he continued:

“I saved all the money myself to go to Thailand. My mother was kind of strict. Since I was a kid, I was told that if I had something I wanted to do, I had to do it on my own – otherwise, it meant nothing.  

Champion Kickboxer Roman Golovatyuk Dies in Ukraine Conflict Facing Russia

Roman GolovatyukThe combat sports world mourns the loss of Roman Golovatyuk, a celebrated Ukrainian athlete and kickboxer who fell in…

Roman Golovatyuk

The combat sports world mourns the loss of Roman Golovatyuk, a celebrated Ukrainian athlete and kickboxer who fell in combat against Russian forces.

Roman Golovatyuk

The 28-year-old champion met his untimely end on August 31, 2024, in the Pokrovsky area of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).

Roman Golovatyuk’s athletic background was impressive. The Ukranian held the title of Honored Master of Sport, reached the finals of the World Games, and claimed world championship status in kickboxing. His trophy cabinet held numerous World and European Cup victories, alongside multiple Ukrainian national titles.

Roman Golovatyuk 1

Originally from the Khmelnitsky region, Golovatyuk answered the call to arms in the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, voluntarily enlisting in the Ukrainian armed forces. At the time of his death, he was serving in a specialized military unit.

The Ukrainian Air Force and Sports Committee have officially confirmed Golovatyuk’s passing. His death marks a grim milestone, as he becomes the 401st Ukrainian athlete to perish in the ongoing conflict. This highlights the impact of the war on Ukraine’s sporting community. Associated Press reports indicate that over 400 elite Ukrainian athletes have lost their lives in the struggle against Russian forces, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the conflict on Ukraine’s society and its athletic talent pool.

Watch: Mory Kromah Stuns with Vicious Knee Knockout in Debut

Mory Kromah GLORY 94 Knockout“The Black Ghost” Mory Kromah has announced himself to the GLORY light heavyweight division with a vicious knockout win…

Mory Kromah GLORY 94 Knockout

“The Black Ghost” Mory Kromah has announced himself to the GLORY light heavyweight division with a vicious knockout win at GLORY 94. He stopped PFL fighter Mohamed Amine with a flying knee knockout.

Mory Kromah KO

Mory Kromah Knockout win at GLORY 94

The 25-year-old stunned audiences with his organizational debut in GLORY’s light heavyweight division. The weight class is stacked with talent and dangerous strikers. Mory Kromah will be a great addition to this exciting weight division.

After a consecutive eleven impressive wins in Enfusion, the Guinea-born athlete Mory Kromah signed his name to GLORY Kickboxing and now sets his sights on being the best in the world. The long-legged striker showed off his dangerous skills against the veteran of kickboxing and MMA Mo Amine.

With long kicks from range, “The Black Ghost” battered the body and legs of Amine. He knocked his opponent down and sent him doubling over in pain with kicks to the body. Up close, he delivers knees to his opponent to keep Amine back. The flying knee put Amine flat on his back and the PFL athlete was unable to recover from the onslaught.

Kromah is a highly skilled and exciting fighter who has a full range of kickboxing talent. See his knockout win at GLORY 94 below:

Mory Kromah knockout glory 94
Mory Kromah Glory 94 KO

Watch: LIVER SHOT! Cem Caceres Brutally Knocks Out Latescu in Round One After Stepping in on Short Notice

Cem Caceres Glory 94Turkey’s Cem Caceres was able to move up in the competitive light heavyweight division with a brutal liver punch…

Cem Caceres Glory 94

Turkey’s Cem Caceres was able to move up in the competitive light heavyweight division with a brutal liver punch knockout against the Romanian Stefan Latescu at GLORY 94.

Cem Caceres Knocks Out Stefan Latescu

The 24-year-old Cem Caceres was a last-minute replacement for the headlining fight at GLORY 94. Originally, the dangerous Bahram Rajabzadeh was set to face off against ‘Golden Boy’ Latescu. But, the Azerbaijani Rajabzadeh was moved to the main event of GLORY 95 when Antonio Plazibat dropped out due to injury. Now, we will see a heavyweight rematch between the towering Levi Rigters and the aggressive Rajabzadeh.

GLORY 94 saw the talented Romanian knockout striker Stefan Latescu take on the rising Caceres. The 22-year-old Latescu has won the majority of his fights by way of knockout with his powerful hands. In his GLORY debut, earlier in 2024, Caceres knocked out the PFL fighter Mohamed Amine to step into the deep light heavyweight division.

In the main event of GLORY 94, Cem Caceres and Stefan Latescu traded combination punches and kicks early. But Caceres dodged a hook, went low, and delivered a picture-perfect liver punch knockout in the first round. Latescu went down grimacing in pain and was unable to recover.

Watch the knockout below:

Cem Caceres Glory 94
Stefan Latescu vs Cem Caceres GLORY 94
Stefan Latescu vs Cem Caceres GLORY 94

Exclusive: Chingiz Allazov to Vacate Kickboxing World Title: “I’m done fighting in ONE Championship”

Chingiz AllazovChingiz Allazov is a decorated fighter in ONE Championship who holds the Featherweight Kickboxing World Title, but he is…

Chingiz Allazov

Chingiz Allazov is a decorated fighter in ONE Championship who holds the Featherweight Kickboxing World Title, but he is looking to leave it behind. After capturing gold in K-1 and ONE, ‘Chinga’ Allazov holds the top rank as the best pound-for-pound kickboxer on earth, but wants to step away from ONE.

Chingiz Allazov

Allazov has taken the kickboxing world by storm. The aggressive kickboxer has highly impressive wins against the likes of K-1 MAX Champion Yasuhiro Kido, GLORY Champion Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, the top-ranked Jo Nattawut, all-time great Superbon Singha Mawynn, and K-1 and GLORY titleholder Marat Grigorian. With these notable victories, Chingiz Allazov is ranked among all-time greats and is the top pound-for-pound kickboxer right now.

In an IG live interview, Marat Grigorian recently said that Allazov has vacated his kickboxing world title in ONE and is stepping away from the organization. In a conversation with Chingiz Allazov, we can update his side of the story.

chingiz superbbon

Chingiz Allazov Leaving ONE

Speaking to the world champion Chingiz Allazov, he explained:

“Yes, it’s true. Before the fight between Marat Grigorian and Superbon, I told ONE Championship that I would leave my belt for this fight, but they said no … They offered me the fight with Superbon before Marat Grigorian, and I said, ‘If I fight Marat, I will finish my career.’”

Over five rounds, Allazov defended his title against Grigorian in 2023. Grigorian then defeated Sitthichai before losing to Superbon for the interim title. ‘Chinga’ was hoping that the Superbon vs. Grigorian fight would be for the undisputed championship.

Chingiz Allazov VS Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong

Allazov continued, after his win over Grigorian he wanted either the Muay Thai Champion Tawanchai in kickboxing or a rematch to avenge a prior loss to Giorgio Petrosyan. He added:

“After that, I asked for a fight with Tawanchai, or even Giorgio Petrosyan again. But Petrosyan is done fighting in ONE Championship, and Tawanchai doesn’t seem interested in a kickboxing match with me. But now, I have a different plan. My own plan for my life and future, not the same plan as ONE Championship.”

Chingiz Allazov continued:

“But this news is true … I’m done fighting in ONE Championship, and I said I would leave my belt for Marat and Superbon to fight for. Before, Superbon won the interim title fight, but after this fight, they offered me another contract. However, I told them no, I’m finishing my career. I have different plans for my life. Maybe in the future, Inshallah, I’ll return to fight other fighters, but for now, I train every day, focus on my life, and focus on my family. Inshallah, always.”

Superbon Singha Mawynn Chingiz Allazov ONE Fight Night 6 1920X1280 97

Despite leaving the organization and leaving his illustrious title behind, he has nothing to say but good things about them. Allazov said:

“I wish all the best to all the fighters in ONE Championship, and I want to thank ONE Championship. I have a lot of respect for the whole ONE Championship team and Chatri.”

Chingiz Allazov has had public issues with ONE in the past. It’s not clear what’s next for either party. ONE has not yet officially removed the title from Allazov. ‘Chinga’ may move into fighting with K-1 or somewhere in central Asia. He said he is not yet done with kickboxing as a whole and he will continue to fight.

Chingiz Allazov Has Vacated ONE Kickboxing Title According to Marat Grigorian

Chingiz Allazov Marat GrigorianIn a recent IG live, top-ranked kickboxer Marat Grigorian explained that the champion Chingiz Allazov has vacated his kickboxing…

Chingiz Allazov Marat Grigorian

In a recent IG live, top-ranked kickboxer Marat Grigorian explained that the champion Chingiz Allazov has vacated his kickboxing title with ONE Championship.

Chingiz Allazov

The Azerbaijani-Georgian athlete Chingiz Allazov has risen to the top of the kickboxing world and holds rank as the number one pound-for-pound striker on earth. Since capturing a K-1 Grand Prix Title, he was able to pickup the kickboxing throne in ONE Championship with a highly impressive run. He has defeated standout fighters such as perpetual contender Jo Nattawut, former GLORY Champion Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, all-time great Superbon Singha Mawynn, and former GLORY & K-1 Champion Marat Grigorian.

Most recently, ‘Chinga’ Allazov defeated Marat Grigorian to defend his kickboxing world title. But since then, Chingiz Allazov has been at odds with the organization and has been trying to leave. Speaking to Beyond Kickboxing, Allazov explained:

“After a recent conversation with ONE, my team gave the go-ahead for the Superbon-Grigorian fight for my belt, but they made the fight for the vacant [interim] belt … Now I have another plan. I care about my heart, my legacy, and my dream. I’ll finish my career [with] ONE.”

Marat Grigorian

During an IG live, speaking with Alise Telimi, Marat Grigorian discussed his future and Chingiz Allazov. He said:

“Yes, Chingiz gave back his title, so its vacant now. I asked Chatri about it, but they are silent about it.”

Marat Grigorian

He added:

“I hope titlefight next but I won’t fight it in Thailand cause the last time I feel I was the better one and I’m very dissapointed by the organisation. I came to fight but my opponent was fighting in survival mode. So if I fight for the title it will be in China or Japan but not in Thailand cause there they appreciate Muay Thai rules and I’m a clean kickboxer. I have to be judged on kickboxing rules … I would like to fight Tawanchai or the other Thai fighters but they won’t let him fight me yet, he’s a rising star and they want to build him first before they let him face me. [Translation courtesy of Alise Telimi]

Marat Grigorian had a close loss to Chingiz Allazov, followed by a knockout win against the veteran Sitthichai. Most recently, he had a closely fought loss against Superbon with the interim title on the line. The future remains uncertain for the entire division.

Update: Chingiz Allazov has explained that this story is true.