While most fighters approach Regian “The Immortal” Eersel with reverence for his decorated striking resume, George “G-Unit” Jarvis sees only tactical flaws waiting to be exploited by a true practitioner of “the art of eight limbs.”
The 25-year-old will get his long-awaited shot at Eersel when they clash for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship in the main event of ONE Fight Night 34 on Prime Video, which airs live in U.S. primetime on August 1 from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rather than being intimidated by “The Immortal’s” nine-year unbeaten streak in Muay Thai, “G-Unit” believes he’s identified the key weakness that will deliver him the biggest prize in the sport.
Jarvis has spent countless hours studying Eersel’s approach, and his analysis reveals what he believes is a fundamental mismatch in fighting disciplines. The Englishman sees an opportunity to exploit the difference between kickboxing and pure Muay Thai when 4-ounce gloves are introduced to the equation:
“Everyone forgets as well. He’s not a Muay Thai fighter. He’s obviously fought Muay Thai for a long time, but you only got to look at his style. He’s a kickboxer. He likes coming forward. He likes putting his hands on his head and his elbows in tight. He likes putting some good punch combos with the inside low kicks, and that’s typical Dutch kickboxing, which is very good, and it’s very hard to beat.
“But when you’re fighting Muay Thai, it’s a different ball game, especially in small gloves, when I can grab him and elbow him and clinch him up.”
The challenger’s confidence stems from what he views as a lifetime advantage in the discipline they’ll be competing in. While Eersel has seamlessly transitioned between kickboxing and Muay Thai throughout his ONE Championship career, Jarvis believes this versatility will actually work against the Dutch-Surinamese fighter.
With over two decades of pure Muay Thai experience behind him, “G-Unit” sees Eersel’s camp preparation as insufficient to bridge the gap between their respective mastery of “the art of eight limbs.” Jarvis is convinced that when the two men enter the ring, Eersel’s kickboxing background will be exposed:
“I’ve been a Muay Thai fighter for twenty plus years, so he can’t beat my Muay Thai just after an eight-week camp. That’s where my confidence comes from.”
Jarvis Predicts Third-Round Finish Of Eersel
The blueprint for defeating Regian Eersel already exists in George Jarvis’ mind, and it involves using superior Muay Thai technique to weather an early storm before delivering a decisive blow in the World Title fight’s middle rounds.
Drawing comparisons to Eersel’s previous defenses, Jarvis believes he possesses the tools that Sinsamut Klinmee lacked in his two encounters with the divisional king. The Englishman watched both fights closely and sees opportunities that the Thai fighter couldn’t capitalize on.
Jarvis said:
“I believe I’m better than Sinsamut. I believe I bring more to the table than Sinsamut, and Sinsamut gave him a very good fight, especially the first time. Obviously the second time, Sinsamut was winning until he got hurt in round four.
“But I know I’m better than Sinsamut, so if Sinsamut can stand up to him and do what he did, then I’m very confident that I’ll do the same, if not more.”
Rather than hoping to survive five rounds with the defending World Champion, Jarvis has developed a specific timeline for victory. His game plan involves absorbing initial pressure before turning the tables once Eersel’s rhythm is disrupted and his conditioning becomes a factor.
The challenger’s prediction is both bold and specific, built on his belief that he can exploit the very pressure that has broken so many of Eersel’s previous opponents. Instead of wilting under “The Immortal’s” trademark volume, Jarvis plans to use it as an opportunity to counter with the finishing power that earned him his contract.
“If I had to put my money on it, he’s going to come out and try to stick it on me early. I’m going to absorb a bit of his punishment to start off with and then come back. And I reckon I’ll finish him by round three.
“I’m not going in there to beat him on points and take a split decision. I want to go in there and take him out within a few rounds and really make a statement at this.”
