5 Things To Know About Muay Thai World Champion Mouhcine Chafi
Mouhcine “The Assassin” Chafi will soon return to the ring for his second ONE Championship appearance, and this time, he is determined to leave with his first victory in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
At ONE Fight Night 17: Kryklia vs. Roberts on Prime Video, the Spanish-Moroccan sensation will battle former ONE World Title challenger Dmitry Menshikov in a pivotal lightweight Muay Thai clash that has all the makings of an unforgettable barnburner.
The showdown will be broadcast live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, December 8, and Chafi will look to have his breakout moment on the global stage.
After racking up five straight victories, capped by a WBC Light Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title win, Chafi made his promotional debut in early November. Though the 26-year-old only had days to prepare, he still pushed former two-time ONE World Title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee to the limit across three rounds.
Now, with a full training camp under his belt, “The Assassin” will return to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium for his sophomore outing, where he will have an opportunity to prove that he belongs among the best on the global stage.
With that said, here are five things you need to know about the dangerously talented Spanish-Moroccan striker ahead of ONE Fight Night 17.
#1 He Started In Karate
Chafi found his start in martial arts by way of karate, following in the footsteps of his father, who also practiced the discipline.
“The Assassin” trained in karate for four years, and then he moved on to full-contact kickboxing and Muay Thai. But the influence of his traditional martial arts background can still be seen in his unique style today.
#2 He’s Been With His Coach Since His Amateur Days
The Spanish-Moroccan striker has spent the bulk of his career training under the careful tutelage of respected coach Lluis Lloret.
They started working together in 2016 when Chafi was an amateur, and the two haven’t looked back since.
#3 He Is Accomplished At Multiple Levels
In addition to his impressive 31-6-2 professional record, Chafi is a proven belt collector at every level.
“The Assassin” is a WBC Muay Thai European, International, and World Champion. As a matter of fact, he won the WBC Light Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title this past July, and it stands as his biggest accomplishment to date.
#4 He Previously Worked As A Chef
Before he was competing under the bright lights of ONE Championship, Chafi paid the bills by working as a full-time chef.
Despite the demands of his job, he always found the time to train every day. And when he had a fight booked, he’d train twice a day.
#5 He Comes From A Family Of Farmers
“The Assassin” knows firsthand the value of hard work, as he hails from a family of farmers.
That work ethic has undoubtedly carried Chafi through the rigors of daily training at an elite level and propelled him to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
