‘He Was There Every Day’ – The Father-Son Bond That Forged Nabil Anane Into A Muay Thai World Champion

Nabil Anane has already accomplished more in his young career than most fighters achieve in a lifetime. The 21-year-old ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion continues to prove that age is just a number when talent meets unwavering dedication.

Standing tall at 6-foot-4, the Algerian-Thai prodigy has carved out a unique place in the bantamweight division with his devastating striking power, endless reach, and technical precision. But his journey to the pinnacle of Muay Thai began in an unexpected way – with multiple martial arts disciplines running simultaneously.

This past January, Anane achieved a lifelong dream when he defeated Scottish destroyer Nico Carrillo to claim the interim gold. And in March, he turned in a stunning performance against pound-for-pound great Superlek Kiatmoo9, solidifying his status as a true generational talent.

Anane recently spoke to onefc.com about his incredible combat sports journey and the family support that made it all possible.

Early Athletic Exploration

Born in the coastal city of Pattaya, Thailand, Anane was the oldest of three children in a family that understood the value of martial arts.

His father had some boxing experience in his younger days, though he never competed at the highest levels. That background gave the family an appreciation for combat sports that would prove instrumental in shaping Anane’s future.

From an early age, Anane showed exceptional athletic ability and a hunger to test himself across different disciplines. Rather than limiting himself to one sport, he embraced multiple martial arts with remarkable dedication:

“I was born here in Thailand, in Pattaya. At the age of 6, I started karate, and at 7, I started taekwondo. I was doing both at the same time.

“Then at 11, I started Muay Thai. At one point, I was doing three sports at the same time. But when I turned 11, I decided to stop karate and taekwondo to focus only on Muay Thai.”

The decision to narrow his focus proved to be pivotal.

While many young athletes struggle to balance multiple commitments, Anane had already developed the discipline and work ethic necessary to excel at the highest level. His daily routine became a testament to his commitment:

“Every day, we went to school in the morning. My mom sometimes took us to school, but my father always picked us up.

“Every single day, he picked us up and took us straight to the gym. That was our routine – school, gym, every day, except Saturday and Sunday because we didn’t have school on those days.”

A Memorable First Fight

Anane’s professional career began with a fight that would test both his skills and his resolve. At just 11 years old, he faced an opponent with significantly more experience – a challenge that would have intimidated most young fighters.

He recalled:

“I don’t really remember his name, but I remember the fight. I was 11, and he was 15. He had probably 20 fights already, but it wasn’t a very hard fight for me. He kicked my leg a lot, and the next day, my leg was in pain. But I won, so it’s OK. But it was a hard fight.”

Despite the physical toll, the victory proved to be a defining moment for the young striker.

Beyond the satisfaction of winning, Anane discovered that his passion could also provide financial rewards – a realization that added extra motivation to his training regimen:

“I was happy. I also got some money, and that made me really happy. I was very young at the time, and I realized I could already earn money. That gave me motivation. So I rested a little, then came back to training.

“When I was young, even a little money felt like a lot. A thousand baht (approximately US$30) was a lot for me back then.”

The Foundation of Success

Throughout Anane’s journey, one constant has remained unchanged.

From those early days of being picked up at school and driven straight to the gym to his current status as a ONE World Champion, his father’s presence has been a driving force:

“My father was always behind me, always pushing me since my first day of training, not just in Muay Thai, but even in karate. He was there every day, watching, taking me to the gym. Every single day.

“And now, it’s paid off. But it’s not finished. Even now, every day, he’s still in the gym watching me train, always pushing me.”

This level of family support has provided Anane with the foundation necessary to pursue his dreams without reservation.

His father’s approach is both supportive and demanding, creating an environment in which excellence is the only acceptable outcome:

“He let me do what I wanted. And I wanted to do Muay Thai. When I chose Muay Thai, he told me, ‘If you choose this, go 100 percent into it.’ I didn’t have any choice left because I chose this, so now I must focus on it. And he was 100 percent behind me.”

Anane understands that not every fighter enjoys the same level of family support, and he doesn’t take his advantages for granted.

His awareness of this privilege has shaped his perspective on both his own path and the struggles faced by other fighters:

“I had my father supporting me. He was always behind me. But I understand that for fighters who don’t have anyone pushing them, it must be much harder.

“I know some fighters don’t have the same chances I had. But even if you don’t have someone supporting you, just keep going and chase your dreams.”

Looking Toward Future Glory

Now established as one of the world’s premier Muay Thai fighters, Anane’s ambitions continue to grow.

His interim belt represents just the beginning of what he hopes will be a legendary career in ONE Championship:

“Since I started, I always wanted to be a World Champion. I just kept pushing through. I didn’t think about whether this was meant for me or not. If you want something, you just chase it. Go get it.”

Still in his early 20s, Anane recognizes that his best years lie ahead.

His confidence in his future potential is evident, and his dedication to continuous improvement suggests that fans have only witnessed the surface of what he can accomplish.

“Right now, I’m 21, and I’m already here. In five years, I don’t even know, but I’ll be very dangerous. I am going to a problem, for sure.”

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