The Inner Circle 25 Main Event Result: Suakim Edges Nabil Anane In World Title Eliminator Thriller
Three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai Champion Suakim PongSuphan PK pulled off the biggest upset of the night, stunning former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane via split decision in the main event of The Inner Circle 25.
Their ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title eliminator bout went down exclusively on live.onefc.com in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, August 7.
The 30-year-old Thai veteran stuck to his promise of putting on a show in the biggest fight of his career. But he did not trade that hunger for recklessness when the bell sounded inside the mecca of Muay Thai.
He employed a cautious start in the opening frame, utilizing light footwork to respect the Algerian-Thai’s pterodactyl-like range. Although Anane used a stiff jab and straight right to maintain the outside, the disciplined Thai veteran bided his time rather than blindly rushing inside.
The dynamic shifted in round two as Suakim grew more comfortable with the range. The PK Saenchai Muaythaigym star fired away with hard leg kicks to chop down his 6-foot-4 opponent’s base, prompting Anane to respond with a rocket-like left straight. Suakim then began ducking under the strikes to initiate the clinch, landing thudding body shots at his preferred range.
After disengaging, he surged forward with a right hook to the body and a sneaky left to the chin that sent the former divisional king crashing to the canvas for an eight-count. Suakim swarmed with punches in the pocket when the fight resumed, but Anane answered by trading vicious knees from the clinch as both warriors unloaded at close quarters.
Sensing he needed something big to turn things around, Anane aggressively covered ground to start the final round. The 22-year-old tested his foe’s defense with wicked hooks and head kicks. When he secured the plum position and uncorked a series of knees to the head, Suakim displayed his warrior spirit and countered with stiff uppercuts.
With time ticking down, Anane emptied his arsenal and poured on the pressure. The 30-year-old, meanwhile, stayed upright through the heavy fire and emphatically tossed his rival to the canvas just as the bout concluded.
Ultimately, that pivotal second-round knockdown proved decisive on the scorecards. It earned Suakim a split-decision nod that improved his record to 157-60 and stretched the division’s longest active winning streak to eight.
To cap off the biggest victory of his storied career, Suakim also took home a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. He now awaits the winner of the Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon and Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title clash at The Inner Circle 30.
