‘It Was A Blessing’ – Striking Superstar Nabil Anane Reflects On Magical 2025, Aims To Build On His Rapid Rise
ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane has enjoyed an incredible run in ONE Championship over the past three years, but it was in 2025 that his stock truly skyrocketed.
The Algerian-Thai standout went undefeated across two disciplines throughout the year, claimed undisputed bantamweight Muay Thai gold in the process, and avenged his only promotional loss against “The Kicking Machine” Superlek.
On top of that, he carried his momentum into kickboxing, where he overwhelmed two elite names, reinforcing the idea that his pursuit of two-sport glory is a realistic path.
The 21-year-old reflected on his standout year:
“It was a blessing because I started very well and ended it very well also. The best moments have been the first two fights in the beginning of the year, in January and March — the interim belt and the second fight where I won against Superlek in the rematch.
“They’re indescribable because there was so much happiness in those two fights. Those were my best moments that I had this year, when I won against those two incredible fighters.”
Anane opened his 2025 campaign against Scottish knockout artist Nico Carrillo at ONE 170, with the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title on the line.
It took less than a round for the Team Mehdi Zatout representative to assert himself.
Three knockdowns later, the fight was over, and Anane had earned the performance that propelled him into a long-awaited showdown with then-undisputed king Superlek at ONE 172 in March.
Although the bout was later shifted to a three-round non-title contest after Superlek missed weight and hydration, Anane still fought like a man chasing something greater. He dropped the pound-for-pound great and controlled the contest on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
By June, he was elevated to undisputed World Champion – a moment made even more personal as it came just hours after his younger brother, Yonis Anane, secured a victorious promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 114.
Anane said:
“It’s very hard to pick what the best moment was, but I will pick the fight against Superlek. It was a better moment.
“I lost against him in my ONE debut, and then I didn’t know if I would have a chance to fight against him again. But then he moved up to bantamweight also, and then I had a chance. That’s what was amazing.”
Those victories placed Anane firmly among the pound-for-pound elite and gave him the confidence to explore new ground beyond Muay Thai, crossing divisions and disciplines.
In September, he stepped into the ring for his promotional kickboxing debut against former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi.
Despite controlling much of the contest and scoring a knockdown in the opening minute, the bout was ruled a no contest after Anane accidentally landed a kick to the midsection.
While the result fell short of what he wanted, the performance itself reflected maturity, composure, and the continued evolution of a striker still adding layers to his game.
Most recently, Anane moved up to featherweight to face multiple-time K-1 Champion Hiromi Wajima at ONE 173 in Tokyo, where he once again displayed precision and elite distance management to secure a unanimous decision victory.
Reflecting on his transition into kickboxing, Anane said:
“It’s not easy, you know. Ennahachi is a very good fighter also. He was very fast. What did I learn? I got a lot of experience in that fight. It was my first kickboxing fight. I need more experience, a lot more.
“I also proved that I can fight in kickboxing. First fight, I fought against Ennahachi, and you saw it. Second fight, I fought at 70 kilos, not even my division, featherweight, and I won against a K-1 Champion. I think I already proved that I can [do] well in this sport too.”
Anane Looks Ahead With Bigger Ambitions Still Unfolding
While Nabil Anane’s remarkable 2025 extended his undefeated run in ONE Championship to eight fights, he understands that this phase of his career is only the beginning.
At just 21 years old, the reigning and undisputed ONE bantamweight Muay Thai king has already shown a willingness to test himself outside familiar territory. His success in kickboxing added another dimension to his resume, but it hasn’t pulled him away from the discipline that shaped him.
Now, his focus shifts toward defending his throne against the division’s elite while staying open to challenges wherever they may come.
He said:
“Personally, I want to come back and fight in Muay Thai because it’s been quite long since I fought in Muay Thai. I’ve been preparing myself for kickboxing, and I just want to come back and fight in Muay Thai because I miss Muay Thai. I’m not really sure, but I don’t really care. If I need to fight again in kickboxing, then I’ll just fight again.”
Standing 6-foot-4, Anane presents a difficult puzzle for anyone standing across from him. His long frame makes him hard to pin down, but it’s his balance, timing, and control of distance that turn that reach into a real weapon.
Even after proving he can thrive in fast-paced kickboxing exchanges, the pull of “the art of eight limbs” remains strong.
The Algerian-Thai said:
“It’s just the feeling. I have more experience in Muay Thai and it’s more my domain. Muay Thai is my thing.”
