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Nabil Anane, the reigning ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, is determined to settle unfinished business when he takes on Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on March 23. The Algerian-Thai phenom will challenge the two-division, two-sport ONE World Champion for the undisputed bantamweight Muay Thai title at Japan’s iconic Saitama Super Arena.
Their previous encounter occurred in June 2023 at ONE Friday Fights 22, marking Anane’s promotional debut. At 18 years old, he stepped into the ring full of ambition but lacked experience in high-level competition. Superlek, widely regarded as one of the best strikers on the planet, swiftly exposed those gaps and secured a first-round stoppage victory. Now, two years later, Anane believes he has transformed into an entirely new fighter, ready to rewrite history.
Reflecting on their first clash, Anane acknowledges the steep learning curve he faced but insists that fans will see a vastly improved version of him in this highly anticipated rematch.
“Two years ago, I didn’t know nothing about small [4-ounce] gloves. I didn’t have this experience. I’m totally different. Very different,” the 20-year-old said. “It was a big lesson, and I learned a lot in that fight. I’m sure that it’s not going to be the same this time.”
Beyond his personal growth, Anane credits his family and support system for helping him reach this pivotal moment in his career. From his father overseeing training sessions to his mother ensuring he’s well-nourished, his success has been a collective effort. Training alongside experienced figures like Chris Foster and Medhi Zatout has also played a crucial role in his development.
“My father is always here watching me train. Chris Foster, he is here holding pads for me. Medhi [Zatout] is also holding pads for me. My mom, she cooks for me every day, lunch and dinner,” Anane said. “And all of the supporters that support me, that were with me even when I was down, when I was the underdog, they were also with me.”
As Anane steps into the ring for the biggest fight of his career, he hopes to prove that his evolution as a fighter will be enough to dethrone the formidable Superlek and unify the division’s gold.