Nabil Anane, the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, is constantly changing before our own eyes. His performance at ONE 172 this last weekend was no different. He defeated Superlek Kiatmoo9, a former two-division, two-sport ONE World Champion, there.
The Algerian-Thai won by unanimous decision after dominating “The Kicking Machine” in a non-title bantamweight Muay Thai fight held inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 23.
Superlek lost the title after failing to make weight and pass the hydration test. He was scheduled to defend the bantamweight Muay Thai gold against Anane.
However, ONE 172 was a significant turning point in Anane’s successful career. After losing to the pound-for-pound legend in the opening round of their first fight two years ago, he evened the score with him.
And while many now view him as the uncrowned king, he looks to bring that to fruition and get his hands on the lineal World Title in the near future.
“Yes, winning [against] Superlek means a lot to me. It means very, very much to me, because this was my dream and my first goal, and I have achieved it. And the title, I feel bad that it wasn’t a match with a title,” he said.
“But what can I do? I don’t know. I had a lot of sacrifices also for this fight, because Superlek was, to beat him, to fight him and win, was one of my goals. But I thought that I would have the title also, I would have the belt here or there. But it’s okay — next time.”
Superlek Kiatmoo9, Nabil Anane, and ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong aspire to win three world titles
Nabil Anane’s hopes of winning the World Title only increased as he dominated Superlek Kiatmoo9 this past weekend. Chatri Sityodtong, the CEO and chairman of ONE, thinks the next step is obvious.
With a career-best performance over three rounds, the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion demonstrated that he had what it took to defeat his countryman.
However, Sityodtong hopes that the next time, the top bantamweight fighters would square off over five rounds for the sport’s biggest prize.
“I believe that a full five-round fight for the World Title between Nabil and Superlek is the next fight that makes sense,” Sityodtong stated.
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