‘The Doors To A Title Shot Will Open’ – Nabil Anane Eyes Victorious Kickboxing Debut Against Ilias Ennahachi At ONE Friday Fights 126
Reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane is preparing for a tough challenge when he enters a new realm at ONE Friday Fights 126 in the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
This Friday, September 26, live in Asia primetime, the 21-year-old will switch sports to face former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi – a clash that could reshape the bantamweight kickboxing division ruled by Jonathan “The General” Haggerty.
The Algerian-Thai knows this won’t be a gentle introduction.
Ennahachi is undefeated in ONE, known for his speed, precision, and composure. But for Nabil, this bout is part of the path he must walk to reach greatness.
Nabil said:
“When they offered me my first kickboxing fight against former Flyweight Champion Ilias Ennahachi, I knew he was a great fighter. He’s also beaten Superlek before.
“He’s very skilled. This won’t be an easy fight for sure. I can feel a difficult fight, another tough task, but it’s okay. I have to overcome it.”
Despite the challenge, Nabil has been adapting his approach. With his height, reach, and footwork honed under the guidance of Mehdi Zatout, he believes his style will translate under kickboxing rules.
In Muay Thai, he has already shown vast improvement and tremendous adaptability, putting together a winning streak that included avenging his only loss in the world’s largest martial arts organization against current ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek at ONE 172.
He said:
“I’ve been adapting for sure. I change my style for every single fight. This kickboxing fight will be no different. But what my style will be, you’ll have to wait and see. But everyone will definitely see that it’s not the same as when I fought Muay Thai.”
Beyond style, the young superstar is brimming with confidence.
He has studied Ennahachi’s five spotless fights in ONE and trusts his preparation to carry him through the toughest moments.
And he knows a victory on September 26 would not only announce his arrival in kickboxing but also move him closer to the desired prize – a World Title challenge in the second sport.
The Team Mehdi Zatout standout said:
“A weakness I see in Ilias Ennahachi is that he starts strong but fades in the later rounds. He doesn’t have the same power at the end as he does in the beginning. But in kickboxing, everything you throw counts for points.
“If I beat Ilias, it’ll bring me even closer to my dream, and the doors to a title shot will open up.”
Nabil Anane Aiming For Historic Run In ONE Championship
For Nabil Anane, his kickboxing debut against Ilias Ennahachi at ONE Friday Fights 126 on September 26 isn’t just about one fight – it’s about building a legacy.
Already the reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, he sees his current belt as proof of his perseverance and a foundation for what comes next.
He said:
“The undisputed belt I got is like a symbol of all my hard work, my physical and mental efforts. It’s a reward for my perseverance. I’m so, so happy.”
Since joining ONE, Nabil’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
After falling in his promotional debut, he responded with relentless determination, stringing together seven impressive victories, including a highlight-reel knockout of Nico “King of the North” Carrillo to claim the interim crown.
But his ambitions stretch far beyond his current reign. Nabil envisions a collection of belts across multiple divisions and both striking sports, determined to be recognized as the best striker in the world.
He said:
“My dream doesn’t end here. I want five more belts, the kickboxing World Champion belt in this division, plus the featherweight Muay Thai and kickboxing belts, and the lightweight Muay Thai and kickboxing belts.”
But chasing multiple belts isn’t just about personal glory for Nabil.
Each step forward reflects the countless hours of discipline, sacrifice, and growth he’s poured into his craft since his teenage years.
For him, the journey itself is just as important as the destination, and every fight is another chance to prove that he belongs among the all-time greats.
He said:
“I want the kickboxing belt because it’s a striking martial art, and I want to be number one in striking. I want to show what I can do.”
