He built himself into a world champion. The he lost the title in his first defence. Now he faces one of the most in-form fighters in the bantamweight division in his comeback fight. The road back for the former titleholder runs directly through a man on a seven-fight tear.
Nabil Anane meets Suakim Pongsuphan PK in bantamweight Muay Thai action at The Inner Circle 25, streaming live for members in Asia primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 7. The card also features the previously announced bantamweight Muay Thai rematch between Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev and reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek.
Suakim is not a soft re-entry point. The PK Saenchai Muaythaigym product is 30 years old with more than 200 career appearances. He has been the division’s most relentless presence through a seven-fight ONE winning streak. That run features a third-round TKO of Jake Peacock at ONE 173 and a commanding decision over Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE Fight Night 42 in April.
Nabil Anane faces Suakim on the road back to gold
Nabil Anane’s credentials are well established. The 22-year-old Algerian-Thai stormed from a debut stoppage loss to Superlek through a run that produced interim gold. He knocked out of Nico Carrillo at ONE 170 and a unanimous decision revenge win over Superlek at ONE 172. His first title defence at The Inner Circle 7 ended with Rambolek taking the belt. That left Anane with unfinished business and a clear path back to the top.
In a separate announcement, Felipe Lobo faces Dmitrii Kovtun in bantamweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 45. This broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 17. Kovtun enters on a two-fight winning streak after outpointing Mohanad Battbootti at ONE Fight Night 42 in April.
Lobo, a former two-time ONE World Title challenger, is looking to bounce back after dropping a decision to Nontachai Jitmuangnon at ONE Fight Night 43 in May. His top-level experience makes him a genuine threat for Kovtun, and a victory for the Russian would be his clearest divisional statement yet.