‘Prepare For A War’ – Regian Eersel Embracing Dangerous World Title Challenge From Dmitry Menshikov
Undefeated over the past seven years while competing against the planet’s top strikers, reigning two-sport ONE World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel is at the top of his game and only getting better.
The Surinamese-Dutch superstar is in the final preparations for the second defense of his ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title – a main event clash against red-hot promotional newcomer Dmitry Menshikov at ONE Fight Night 11 on Prime Video on Friday, June 9.
And fittingly, this battle for the most prestigious belt in Muay Thai will go down at the mecca of the sport, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
After winning the inaugural ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title in 2019 – and successfully defending it four times since – Eersel says he’s now truly finding his groove in small-gloved Muay Thai.
He’ll also come into this matchup with Menshikov riding high following a spectacular knockout of Thai sensation Sinsamut Klinmee, giving him two straight World Title victories in “the art of eight limbs.”
The 30-year-old told ONEFC.com:
“It will be like my [third] fight with the 4-ounce gloves. I got now like two training camps right after each other. This is my third training camp. So I’m feeling more comfortable. You know, getting used to the feeling from the 4-ounce gloves. I hope it will come out also in the ring on June 9.”
The fact that “The Immortal” is still improving is a scary proposition for any man who meets him in either kickboxing or Muay Thai action. And for his part, Eersel has no preference for one sport over the other.
The two-sport lightweight king knows every opponent will present a stiff test – and each victory that extends his incredible 21-fight winning streak will only further solidify him as one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound strikers.
He said:
“For me, it doesn’t matter if it is Muay Thai or kickboxing, or both. Both sports are a challenge for me because I’m the champion. It’s important for me and it’s a challenge for me to defend them both. Just to build my legacy, you know, so they’re both important for me, and I like both.”
Eersel: ‘The Better My Opponent, The Better Version Of Me’
With Dmitry Menshikov set to compete in ONE for the first time, many fans don’t consider him a true threat to Regian Eersel’s long reign of dominance atop the division.
However, Eersel says those fans are sorely mistaken. He knows the Russian challenger is a dangerous knockout artist with thunderous power in both hands, capable of putting any lightweight on earth to sleep.
For those reasons, he expects Menshikov to bring out the best in him on June 9:
“My thoughts are he is a very good fighter. He puts the pressure on a lot. He comes swinging with hooks. He has a lot of knockouts, so we’re gonna put my name to the test once again. The better my opponent, the better version of me also. Yeah, I’m excited.”
Menshikov is certainly entering this World Title showdown in top form, having won 11 bouts in a row to land this massive opportunity.
But despite the challenger’s concussive power and impressive winning streak, “The Immortal” believes he owns a significant edge and envisions nothing less than dominance at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Eersel explained:
“My advantage is my length, I’m a little bit taller than him. I think also my experience with the 4-ounce gloves and my Muay Thai experience. I visualize myself, and it doesn’t matter how, but I visualize myself winning by KO, but winning is the most important thing. It has to be a clear, clear victory.”
Ultimately, whatever Menshikov brings to the table, the defending titleholder is ready for a high-paced scrap for as long as it lasts – and he fully embraces the tough test ahead.
He added:
“I’m just gonna prepare for his power. And mentally, I’m just gonna prepare for a war. And I think he will bring the war to me.”
