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

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.

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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