It was hyped up and officially advertised as a “super-fight” — a showdown boasting star power so bright that even as a non-title bout on a pay-per-view card featuring four world championship matches and arguably the best pound-for-pound kickboxer on the planet in action, it was plainly obvious that it would be the main event.

On March 23rd, ONE Championship held its ONE 172 show in Saitama, Japan, headlined by Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Takeru Segawa. The two mononymous superstars have won championships across many different promotions and weight classes and disciplines in their respective careers, but neither man had a belt to fight for on this night. Their match was just a scheduled five-round kickboxing banger pitting two of the biggest names in global combat sports against each other.

For all the anticipation, the fight was short — and yet it delivered the electricity and big-fight feel that was promised. Just about 1:30 into the first round, Rodtang fired off a pair of left hooks that dropped Takeru, who couldn’t get to his feet before the referee called an end to the bout.

Going in, both men had certain advantages on paper. Rodtang (27) is younger than Takeru (33), but theoretically should have a lot more wear and tear on his body after 327 professional fights compared to Takeru’s 49 fights. Both are of course championship-level kickboxers, but Rodtang is a Muay Thai fighter first (hence the hundreds of pro fights) and a kickboxer second, while Takeru is a kickboxer first who also excels in karate. Another thing to consider: ONE 172 was held in Takeru’s home nation, making it a road trip for the Thai star Rodtang.

Also, Rodtang converted to Islam fairly recently, and trained for this fight at the same time he was observing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. While cutting to make the 135-pound weight limit and stay in peak condition, Rodtang was abstaining from food and water during daylight hours for about three weeks leading up to fight night.

Even with the fasting and the home-court disadvantage possibly working against him, Rodtang looked as sharp and strong as ever in quickly dispatching perhaps the biggest star he’s ever faced in the ring.

ONE 172 also featured a slate of world title fights: Masaaki Noiri scored a TKO win over Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai for the featherweight kickboxing interim title, Yuya Wakamatsu stopped Adriano Moraes to win the flyweight MMA title, Jonathan Di Bella beat Sam-A Gaiyanghadao by decision to claim the strawweight kickboxing interim title, and Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom retained her atomweight kickboxing championship via decison over Kana Morimoto.

Another high-profile fight on the card that was supposed to be a championship fight turned into a non-title affair. Superlek Kiatmuu9 was slated to defend his bantamweight Muay Thai title against interim champion Nabil Anane (who represents Thailand and the Muslim-majority nation of Algeria), however, Superlek failed to make weight and was stripped of his title. So in a non-title fight, Anane got the upset victory but not the world championship.