K-1 former three-weight champion Takeru (33) = TEAM VASILEUS=, who lost by KO to former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon (27) = Thailand at "ONE" held at Saitama Super Arena on March 23, found out that he had broken a bone two weeks before the event. Masaaki Noiri (31), the ONE kickboxing featherweight champion, told TEAM VASILEUS at a press conference in Tokyo on March 25. According to officials, he broke his left ribs and sternum in two places during sparring, and was on doctor's stop after being diagnosed with a seven-week healing time.

Takeru, who was in the big match, was hit by two left hooks from Rodtang and went down. After the 10 count, he was knocked out in just 80 seconds.

Two days after the shocking scene, Noiri spoke as if he had made up his mind, saying, "I might get in trouble for saying this, but Takeru wasn't in top condition. He had been in good shape throughout the preparation period, and was in the best shape he's ever been in, but before the match he broke two bones - his ribs and sternum. Of course he couldn't practice, and he couldn't even breathe properly. He would come to the gym and do some light exercises, but he would soon crouch down and be unable to move." "But for Takeru, missing the match was not an option. For me, the fight of the century had been decided, and I wanted him to fight in Takeru condition. So I think fans are saying all sorts of things, like he's become Takeru, but he's really not like that. I think he still has a lot of potential. I think Takeru is the kind of person who can wear the ONE belt."

This time, he revealed the situation to Takeru without asking permission. "I don't think Takeru will ever say that he was broken, but if someone doesn't say it, we won't know. I've kept it a secret for so long, and it's frustrating that people have to say all sorts of things about me. Takeru might say, 'Why are you telling me?' but I wanted to tell him with a clear conscience," he said, revealing his true intentions.

His goal was to hold the belt together with Takeru, but he himself won a gold medal against Tawanchai (Thailand) and took the throne first. "Takeru ended up with that result, but my desire to take the belt with Takeru remains the same. What he does next is up to Takeru to decide," he said, expressing his hope that he would continue his active career.