Nabil Anane says he still trains with a challenger’s mentality: “Sometimes I even forget that I’m a champ”

ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane has been fighting at a high level. It is a product of a go-getting mindset, which he said starts from training.

The towering Algerian-Thai fighter spoke about it in an interview with combat sports journalist Nick Atkin following his victory at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Nov. 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Anane, 21, shared that his frame of mind at this stage of his career is to go all-out in training and competition and take on every challenge that comes his way.

The Team Mehdi Zatout standout said:

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"I got plenty to go and sometimes I even forget that I'm a champ. I speak for real, you know. I don't, sometimes I really forget that I'm a champion. I don't even think about that. I'm ONE Championship champion. I forget about this, and I'm young, you know. I'm surrounded by good people, and yes, I'm just like this man."

Check out what Anane had to say below:

At ONE 173, Nabil Anane made full use of his 6-foot-4 frame to dominate ONE Championship-debuting Hiromi Wajima on his way to a unanimous decision win in their featherweight kickboxing clash.

Anane frustrated 'The Purple Comet' with kicks from the outside that limited his opponent's ability to close the distance in their scheduled three-rounder. He coupled them with crisp punches to come up with a well-rounded attack.

The latest win by Anane was his eight straight to improve to 8-1 in ONE Championship.

The replay of Anane's dominant victory and other matches at ONE 173 is available on demand on live.onefc.com.

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Nabil Anane wants to vie for the bantamweight kickboxing world title

Nabil Anane is using his victory at ONE 173 to get a shot at the bantamweight kickboxing world title in the possession of Jonathan Haggerty and realize his goal of becoming a double ONE world champion.

He called out 'The General' during his post-fight interview inside the Circle with ONE Championship commentator Mitch Chilson, saying:

“Jonathan Haggerty. Last time you got a chance to fight me in Muay Thai, would have been this day, but you weren't able [to]. I understand everything. Sometimes you can get injured. You pulled out. You had a chance, but you miss it. Maybe next time, boss Chatri Sityodtong, I want my chance to [fight] against Jonathan Haggerty. He missed his chance. If I got a chance, I won't miss mine. Of course, for the kickboxing belt.”

Nabil Anane was supposed to defend his bantamweight Muay Thai world title against Haggerty at ONE 173 until the British standout and ONE bantamweight kickboxing king pulled out in the lead-up after injuring his shoulder in training.

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Edited by Aziel Karthak