The most dominant forces in ONE Championship’s Muay Thai divisions will collide when undisputed bantamweight king Superlek Kiatmoo9 meets interim champion Nabil Anane at ONE 172. The highly anticipated title unification bout takes place on Sunday, March 23, at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
This championship clash represents a rematch two years in the making, with both fighters having transformed since their initial encounter at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok in June 2023. In that first meeting, Superlek finished the then-promotional newcomer Anane in the first round of their flyweight contest.
“Every time Nabil fights, he uses the same style that he lost with against me last time. It’s because other opponents haven’t found a way to get close to him,” Superlek said. “Almost everyone became a victim of Nabil’s clinch and knees, so no one could defeat him.”
Since their first fight, both athletes have put together remarkable winning streaks. Superlek has amassed five consecutive victories, defeating elite talents like Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa. Most recently, Superlek knocked out Jonathan Haggerty in just 49 seconds to capture the bantamweight Muay Thai crown.
Anane has compiled six straight victories after moving up a weight class. The towering 6-foot-4 phenom earned his championship opportunity by finishing Nico Carrillo within three minutes to claim the interim title at ONE 170 in January.
Despite dominating their first meeting, the 29-year-old Thai champion acknowledges the rematch presents new challenges against the now 20-year-old Anane.
“This rematch will be different from the first fight because it’s a five-round fight with a World Championship belt at stake. This fight will be more exciting and intense. Another key factor that will make this fight different is that Nabil is now very hungry and confident,” Superlek said.
The two-sport champion suggested fans shouldn’t expect the contest to go the full 15 minutes.
“I don’t want to predict too much. Let’s just say I think the odds this fight doesn’t go the distance are high,” Superlek said. “I want to showcase a surprising trick that everyone doesn’t expect, which I’ve prepared for, but I can’t reveal it yet. I guarantee this fight will be explosive.”