“That’s what was amazing” - Nabil Anane says beating Superlek is tops for his career so far

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Reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane of Algeria and Thailand says his former foe Superlek is still a pound-for-pound great.

‘The Kicking Machine’ has hit a rough patch this year, losing back-to-back contests to Anane and, most recently, to Japanese superstar Yuki Yoza at ONE 173 last November.

But for Anane, people shouldn’t count out the Thai great. The 21-year-old superstar also credited Superlek for allowing him to grow as a martial artist.

Speaking to ONE Championship in his year-end interview, Anane credited his two fights with Superlek for allowing him to reach his potential:

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"It's very hard to pick what the best moment was, but I will pick the fight against Superlek. It was a better moment."

Anane, who lost his ONE debut to Superlek but defeated him in their rematch at ONE 172 last March, added:

“I lost against him in my ONE debut, and then I didn't know if I would have a chance to fight against him again. But then he moved up to bantamweight also, and then I had a chance. That's what was amazing."

Anane learned what it takes to succeed at the highest levels when Superlek gave him a rude awakening in 2023. The Team Mehdi Zatout prodigy hasn’t lost since, winning eight straight contests.


Nabil Anane looking to defend his Muay Thai belt next

Nabil Anane made a seamless transition to kickboxing in his last bout, making it look easy against Hiromi Wajima at ONE 173.

Still, the 21-year-old admits he prefers fighting in 'The Art of Eight Limbs'.

The Algerian-Thai tower told ONE:

“Personally, I want to come back and fight in Muay Thai because it’s been quite long since I fought in Muay Thai. I’ve been preparing myself for kickboxing, and I just want to come back and fight in Muay Thai because I miss Muay Thai. I’m not really sure, but I don’t really care. If I need to fight again in kickboxing, then I’ll just fight again.”

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Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim

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