Ryugo Takeuchi’s 3 Most Dangerous Weapons For ONE 173 Duel Against Shamil Erdogan
Japanese knockout artist Ryugo Takeuchi will be out to keep his 100 percent finishing slate intact when he steps inside the Circle at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16.
The 22-year-old wrecking ball welcomes undefeated Turkish sensation Shamil Erdogan to the heavyweight MMA ranks on one of martial arts’ greatest fight cards inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
With reigning ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane defending his crown against two-division king Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin at the same event, the winner of this showdown could emerge as the next challenger to the throne.
Before the King Gym athlete seeks to extend his winning ways in front of his home-country fans, we break down three weapons that make the Japanese powerhouse such a destructive force.
#1 Takeuchi’s Relentless Fists
Takeuchi’s hands aren’t just powerful – they’re calculated instruments of destruction that have left a trail of unconscious opponents in their wake.
The Japanese heavyweight showcased exactly why his fists are so feared when he demolished “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won in just 98 seconds at ONE Fight Night 34 this past August.
He doesn’t simply throw wild haymakers hoping to land, though. Against Kang, he initiated his match-winning sequence with a perfectly timed Superman punch before unloading with hooks, straights, and uppercuts.
Takeuchi’s highlight-reel triumph also earned him a US$50,000 performance bonus and made him the first to knock out the tough South Korean.
He should pack his venomous hands into this Tokyo showdown as he seeks to hand Erdogan his maiden career defeat.
#2 Takeuchi’s Unforgiving Finishing Instincts
Once Takeuchi detects a finish, he never wastes time hunting for the spectacular.
All five of his career wins have come inside the distance, with two happening before fans even had the chance to warm their seats.
He blitzed Keisuke Nakamura in 17 seconds last September, and if that wasn’t already impressive, he notched a 5-second knockout of Black Tiger just months later – instantly catching the eye of ONE Championship.
In fact, there’s more to him than just his power punches. The King Gym athlete has knees and kicks that complement his devastating hands, making him dangerous from every range and angle.
Wherever his upcoming clash unfolds, be it in the pocket or clinched against the Circle Wall, the young star has all the tools to end the bout in spectacular fashion, meaning Erdogan will have no room for comfort in Tokyo.
#3 Takeuchi’s Ironclad Defense
Takeuchi’s brick-like defense completes his world-class arsenal.
The Japanese powerhouse stays remarkably light on his feet for a heavyweight, allowing him to operate effectively whether pressing forward, fighting off the back foot, or creating angles.
But perhaps his most dangerous defensive weapon is his granite chin.
When opponents commit to frenzied attacks, Takeuchi stays calm, baits them deeper into danger, and unleashes finishing combinations when they’re most vulnerable.
That ability to weather storms and counter explosively makes Takeuchi dangerous even when he appears to be on the defensive, and it should be on full display when he trades leather with Erdogan at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16.
