- Muay Thai legend Nabil Anane dons the big gloves for the first time in ONE Championship
- He will face former flyweight kickboxing king Ilias Ennahachi in a bantamweight matchup in Bangkok, Thailand
- Ennahachi vs Anane fight will happen on September 26 at ONE Friday Fights 126
ONE Friday Fights 126 has received a major addition to an already stacked card with a tantalizing cross-discipline match-up inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 26, live in Asia primetime.
Joining the previously confirmed Tawanchai PK Saenchai vs Liu Mengyang showdown is a three-round bantamweight kickboxing encounter between undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane and former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi.
Anane has been an unstoppable force in the world’s largest martial arts organization since joining the promotion in June 2023.
The 21-year-old striking phenom took ONE by storm, racking up seven straight victories after initially suffering a setback in his first fight against Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9.
Then at ONE 170 last January, Anane announced his entry to the upper echelon of the striking world. The Thai-Algerian wonder showcased crushing power by overwhelming Scottish destroyer Nico “King of the North” Carrillo, winning via stunning first-round knockout to claim the interim bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
However, it was his redemption victory over pound-for-pound great Superlek that launched him into superstardom.
Determined to avenge his lone promotional loss, Anane approached the rematch with Superlek at ONE 172 like a man on a mission.
The towering 6-foot-4 star shocked the world when he picked apart “The Kicking Machine” with beautiful combinations. Anane even dropped Superlek with a vicious head kick en route to a clear-cut unanimous decision victory after three rounds.
After recently being elevated to undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion in June, the Team Mehdi Zatout pupil will look to kickstart his two-sport World Title aspirations at ONE Friday Fights 126.
Anane’s first foray in kickboxing presents a significant challenge as he takes on a former ONE World Champion who is hungry for a massive win that will put him back in the World Title picture.
Dutch-Moroccan sensation Ennahachi has been steadily rebuilding his championship credentials since moving up to bantamweight.
After successfully defending his flyweight kickboxing belt twice, Ennahachi relinquished the gold in 2023 due to his inability to make the 135-pound limit.
The rejuvenated 29-year-old made an immediate impact in his bantamweight debut at ONE Friday Fights 6 with a resounding first-round finish over Iran’s Aliasghar Ghodratisaraskan.
Then, Ennahachi secured the #2 spot in the rankings by imposing his ring IQ and technical superiority to outclass fellow former World Champion Hiroki Akimoto at ONE Friday Fights 81 last September.
The S&B Gym standout’s signature footwork and elusiveness were on full display against the Japanese striker, as he extended his perfect ONE record to 5-0 with a unanimous decision win.
This intriguing stylistic clash against Anane pits the Thai-Algerian’s exceptional reach and power against Ennahachi’s technical precision and veteran savvy.
A successful transition for Anane will solidify his case as a legitimate two-sport threat. For Ennahachi, halting the bantamweight Muay Thai king’s impressive momentum will position him for another run at 26 pounds of gold.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about ONE Friday Fights 126.