ONE Friday Fights 114 turned into something truly special for the Anane family.
What started as a celebration of 17-year-old Yonis Anane’s successful ONE debut quickly became an unforgettable moment when his older brother Nabil received life-changing news.
After watching Yonis dominate Liu Junchao en route to a unanimous decision victory, Nabil stepped up for what seemed like a routine post-fight interview.
That’s when everything changed. ONE Commentator Mitch Chilson had bigger news to share – Nabil Anane was being elevated to undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion.
It’s been quite the ride for the towering Algerian-Thai fighter.
When he first stepped into the ring back in June 2023, nobody could have predicted his trajectory. He had the physical tools – that 6-foot-4 frame that makes him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the bantamweight division.
But early success wasn’t guaranteed. His fight against Superlek Kiatmoo9 ended in devastating fashion, with Superlek knocking him out cold.
Many fighters never recover from that kind of setback, especially against someone of Superlek’s calibre.
Instead, Anane did something remarkable. He refined his approach and put together an incredible seven-fight winning streak that had everyone taking notice.
Each victory showcased his devastating knees and those punishing punches that have become his trademark.
The real statement came at ONE 170 in January when he absolutely dismantled Nico Carrillo. Those crushing long punches that earned him the interim title proved he belonged at the top.
But the sweetest victory had to be his revenge against Superlek at ONE 172 in a non-title fight. This time, Anane was ready. He controlled the fight for three full rounds, earning a unanimous decision that erased the sting of their first encounter.
When Superlek missed weight and was stripped of his title before their fight, it opened the door for Anane’s elevation to undisputed champion. Now he stands alone at the top of the division.
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