‘Preparing For Five Rounds Of War’ – Regian Eersel Expects Tough World Title Challenge From Unbeaten Alexis Nicolas
Two-sport king Regian “The Immortal” Eersel anticipates a tough battle when he returns to defend his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title in U.S. primetime on Friday, April 5.
The Surinamese superstar will face Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas in the main event of ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video, and he knows the unbeaten French phenom will bring his best to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Like all of the contenders vying for Eersel’s throne, Nicolas is viewing this fight as the biggest opportunity of his career.
With that in mind, “The Immortal” told onefc.com that he’s taking the challenger extremely seriously:
“I look at everybody they put in front of me as the most dangerous guy because the one in front of me is the one who is trying to beat me.
“My opponent is gonna do everything in his power to get the win and to get the belt. Nobody is an easy fight. Everybody is dangerous.”
Nicolas got the call following an impressive debut victory over Magomed Magomedov in January at ONE Friday Fights 47, where he extended his perfect slate to 23-0.
For his part, Eersel was keeping a close eye on “Barboza’s” battle, knowing that a potential opponent might emerge.
He came away impressed with the surging Mahmoudi Gym representative and thinks their matchup will bring out the best in both sides:
“I was watching live when he had his first fight for ONE. He’s a smart fighter, good with his kicks, and he throws good combinations. It’s gonna be a good fight for me, and I’m gonna put my name to the test again. It’s also good for him that he gets to fight for the belt in his second fight in ONE.
“I think we are both gonna score a lot of points and throw lots of combinations. And I hope I’m gonna catch him. But in my mind, I’m preparing for five rounds of war.”
Regian Eersel Thinks Alexis Nicolas Will Struggle With His Intensity
As a five-time ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion and three-time ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion, Regian Eersel is used to high-stakes battles against the top strikers on the planet.
Although Alexis Nicolas is an ISKA Kickboxing World Champion, his resume doesn’t have the same depth, and “The Immortal” expects to have the edge in multiple areas when they go head-to-head.
Eersel said:
“My biggest advantage I think is my experience, my pressure going forward, and my aggression. I think he will struggle with that.
“I would say I’m a different kind of fighter. I am really going to put the pressure on him, and he will feel it.”
Nicolas looked strong when he made his promotional debut under the ONE Friday Fights banner, but this time, he’ll face Eersel live in U.S. primetime with the eyes of the world watching.
It remains to be seen whether the young star will rise to the occasion or falter under the added pressure. If it’s the latter, the defending king promises to take advantage.
Eersel added:
“I think it can go two ways because fighters aren’t the same. It’s not only the fight – it’s all the things around it. It’s a World Title fight in one of the biggest organizations in the world, so we get a lot of interviews and a lot of attention. When it’s close, all the media and all the attention that you get, some fighters can’t handle it.
“You will not notice it from the fighter, but inside his head, it’s sometimes a lot. If he can handle it, good. If not, I will notice. I will notice in the fight, and even before the fight. Because sometimes you see it in the eyes, the hesitation. So, I’m going to recognize it if he has it.”
