- George Chung
- Jan 28
- 2 min read
When opportunity knocks, champions answer. Nabil Anane seized the moment of a lifetime at ONE 170, stepping in for the sidelined Superlek Kiatmoo9 and delivering a jaw-dropping performance to claim the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship. What unfolded in front of a sold-out crowd was nothing short of electrifying.
Standing tall at 6’4”, the Muay Thai phenom used his remarkable reach to keep Nico Carrillo—known as the “King of the North”—on the outside. With precision and power, Anane dropped Carrillo with a series of crisp punches. Carrillo, clearly rattled, couldn’t recover. Two more knockdowns later, the 20-year-old sensation achieved his dream of global gold.
“I haven’t felt this excited since I was a very young boy. For this fight, I felt like I became that young boy again,” Anane confessed after the event. “I knew I had to give a hundred percent. I didn’t expect a knockout, but when the opportunity came, I went for it.”
Anane’s humility shone as brightly as his victory. Rather than bask in self-glory, the new interim champion took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the pillars in his life: his parents. “Thanks to my dad, who inspired me and pushed me every day in the gym, and my mom, who always cooks me food,” he said with a smile. “I couldn’t have done this without them.”
Determined not to let fame derail his focus, Anane vowed to stay grounded. “There are many people behind me—my coaches, my parents—who teach me how to stay humble and disciplined. I will continue working hard and stay in my lane, no matter the money or fame.”
Anane’s victory not only secured him the interim title but also locked in a highly anticipated rematch against Superlek at ONE 172 on March 23 inside Japan’s iconic Saitama Super Arena. For Anane, this is more than just another fight—it’s redemption.
Reflecting on his 2023 debut loss to Superlek, Anane said, “First of all, I want to thank Superlek for giving me the opportunity to know what a world-class athlete is like. Since that loss, I’ve been improving myself and training very hard. I’m ready to face him.”
With only a few days to savor his monumental win, Anane is already preparing for the challenge ahead. “I’ll rest for a few days, but then it’s back to the gym. I’ll be better than ever and ready for Superlek,” he promised.
As fans eagerly await the showdown in March, one thing is certain: Nabil Anane is not just a rising star. He’s a force to be reckoned with, a humble warrior who’s just getting started. Missed the action? You can catch the entire ONE 170 event on demand via ONE’s official YouTube channel—and witness the birth of a new champion for yourself.
