A ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title trilogy bout is set to go down at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video, as reigning two-sport king Regian “The Immortal” Eersel will put the belt on the line against former champion Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas. That hotly anticipated rubber match will air live in U.S. primetime this Friday, April 4, and if the pair’s first two encounters were any indication, fans should expect another high-paced, back-and-forth war. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) Before Eersel and Nicolas share the iconic ring at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium one more time we take a closer look at their first two World Title showdowns Eersel and Nicolas initially met at ONE Fight Night 21 back in April 2024. At the time, “The Immortal” was a reigning two-sport titleholder who was riding an absurd eight-year winning streak and widely recognized as one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound strikers. Meanwhile, France’s Nicolas was an undefeated rising star. Before making a successful ONE Championship debut earlier in the year, he largely dominated the ultra-tough European kickboxing circuit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) While many viewed him as a world-class striker with tremendous potential, Nicolas entered his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title clash against Eersel as a significant underdog. But that April night in Bangkok, he would shock the world. The challenger displayed supreme confidence and a masterful game plan from the opening bell, employing his speedy footwork to evade the Surinamese kingpin’s long-range weaponry while landing low kicks and heavy counter-punches of his own. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) a massive right hand sent Eersel crashing to the canvas And while the titleholder would regain his composure and mount some offense through the bout’s middle rounds it was Nicolas who continued to get the better of the exchanges with his crippling low kicks and power shots After five rounds of intense action, “Barboza” emerged victorious with a unanimous decision. The awe-inspiring victory ended Eersel’s five-year reign at the top of the lightweight kickboxing division Six months later, in the main event of ONE Fight Night 25, Eersel would have his chance at revenge. “The Immortal” returned to the scene of the crime, felt energized, and seemed to be in the finest shape of his career for that bout, as he was undoubtedly motivated to reclaim the 26 pounds of gold he previously held. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) Indeed, the Sityodtong Amsterdam representative pressed the action early and often with a piston-like jab, thudding low kicks, and an extremely high work rate that kept Nicolas largely on the defensive through the contest’s opening minutes. The Frenchman dug deep and appeared to be turning the tide through the middle rounds. But in a beautiful display of skill and fight IQ, Eersel changed his tactics to create a close-range battle, rarely giving his foe a chance to breathe or much space to work. Eersel continued to dole out punishment with brutal leg kicks that robbed “Barboza” of his power and, ultimately, erased any doubt as to who would win the decision. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Younes Belgu 🇩🇿 (@younesbelgu) “The Immortal” reclaimed the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title and handed his French rival the only loss of his career almost exactly one year after their first epic clash Eersel and Nicolas will return to the Thai capital to throw down for the prestigious golden belt and bragging rights as the planet’s top lightweight kickboxer ‘The Immortal’ stripped of ONE lightweight kickboxing belt; two other hydration fails in Bangkok Regian Eersel lost his ONE Championship lightweight kickboxing title on the scale after failing to pass hydration at Thursday’s official weigh-ins Only Alexis Nicolas will now be able to win the belt in Saturday’s ONE Fight Night 30 co-main event at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok should the trilogy go ahead at a catchweight The miss made it back-to-back events where a ONE champion has been stripped of their belt for failing to pass hydration after Superlek’s ordeal at ONE 172 in Japan late last month “The Immortal” Eersel failed three hydration tests at the host Best Western Wanda Hotel bringing an end to his brief second title reign having only just reclaimed the belt from France’s Nicolas last October Suriname’s Eersel will have to come back and provide a hydrated sample before he is able to negotiate a catchweight with Nicolas with heavyweight Muay Thai champ Roman Kryklia and Lyndon Knowles both hitting their marks with Jihin Radzuan again looking  set to be one of the culprits The Malaysian had failed to pass hydration at atomweight MMA for three of her last four bouts with Japan’s Ayaka Miura even refusing to fight her last October out of frustration The “Shadowcat” was nowhere to be seen for most of the official three hour window on Thursday but finally arrived with 40 minutes to go and broke down in tears after passing hydration and weighing in at 115lbs with the curtain Her opponent – Argentina’s Macarena Aragon – did fail as did Mouhcine Chafi for his lightweight Muay Thai bout with main roster debutant George Jarvis Aragon and Chafi will both have to come back and pass before they can negotiate catchweights It was all smooth sailing though for Nico Carrillo who will make his featherweight Muay Thai debut against Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong on Saturday The Scot is making the jump up from bantamweight after a torrid weight cut in January and an even more painful defeat to Nabil Anane in their interim title fight at Impact Arena – and his weight cut was like night and day this time around He even looked surprised at how light he was (153.75lbs) after stepping on the scales and had been smiling and talkative when the Bangkok Post ran into him in the hotel elevator in the afternoon passed hydration but missed weight on his first trip to the scales.  The Moroccan returned to make weight with 90 minutes to go and made his strawweight Muay Thai fight with Thongpoon PK Saenchai official The rest of Saturday’s card was unaffected by the weigh-ins and will go ahead at the contracted weights By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy Home » MMA News » Alexis Nicolas » Regian Eersel stripped; Alexis Nicolas… Former divisional kingpin Alexis Nicolas was supposed to face Regian Eersel in a trilogy fight for the latter’s ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE Fight Night 30 Nicolas can still grab the belt if he wins their fight this Friday Nicolas hopes he can get the final say in a rubber match that he expects to live up to the hype Everybody says and knows that Eersel’s a legend this fight should be legendary,” the Frenchman said It’s always a pleasure to give this kind of fight for the fans.” Former ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Alexis Nicolas and Regian Eersel have certainly found an equal in one another While their competitive drive has pitted them together twice over the last year Nicolas has no ill will toward his Surinamese foe wearing the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title is simply a matter of business for the French standout He has no personal feelings toward Eersel – other than beating him decisively this weekend to regain the vacant belt at ONE Fight Night 30 and I just want to take the belt,” he said This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM BJPENN.COM is your premier source for all MMA and UFC News We serve you with the latest breaking news It is also the home of 2X UFC Hall of Fame Champion After a decade of on-line operation BJP has evolved into the most reliable destination for all of your MMA needs contact@bjpenn.com advertising@freestar.com 2025 BJ Penn Enterprises Privacy Policy 2024 BJ Penn Enterprises Privacy Policy Former six-time ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel’s latest win over Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas was bittersweet Although Eersel earned a majority decision to go up 2-1 against his rival in their third matchup on April 4 he was stripped of the World Title belt ahead of the lightweight fight after missing weight Despite not being eligible to win the gold, the 32-year-old Surinamese superstar produced a classic performance at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video to defeat Nicolas for the second straight time in front of a Bangkok crowd at Lumpinee Stadium. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) “The Immortal” took some time to settle into the fight letting Nicolas reveal his game plan in round one all while mentally outlining his own path to victory Eersel had everything he needed to work with – and work he did sending him to the canvas for an eight-count Eersel continued to stitch together combinations in round three that paralyzed his opponent before he could retaliate utilizing his blistering jabs and crosses before taking flight into jumping knee attacks two of the three ringside judges awarded the contest to Eersel who improved his professional striking record to 63-5 The triumphant fighter used his post-fight mic time to fire a shot at George Jarvis who won his lightweight Muay Thai bout earlier in the night is still the reigning ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion and willing to accept all challengers while he fights his way back to 26 pounds of kickboxing gold Reigning two-sport kingpin Regian “The Immortal” Eersel and hard-hitting Frenchman Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas will add another chapter to their epic World Title feud live in U.S That night, in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video, the Surinamese dynamo will put his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title on the line in the pair’s deciding rubber match. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) The bout will go down at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium — the same iconic venue where the strikers traded victories against each other in two of 2024’s most electrifying battles Before fans across the globe tune in to this high-stakes trilogy fight, both Eersel and Nicolas spoke to onefc.com about their heated rivalry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) When Regian Eersel first collided with “Barboza” in April 2024 he was a reigning two-sport ONE World Champion riding an incredible eight-year winning streak and widely considered one of the planet’s best pound-for-pound strikers While Alexis Nicolas was a talented undefeated fighter in his own right few expected him to take the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title away from the Surinamese superstar The Frenchman shocked the world, however. He racked up critical damage points with punishing low kicks and unleashed venomous boxing combinations to secure a unanimous decision win. Looking back on that crushing defeat, Eersel admitted that he didn’t have the right mindset going into the match and became complacent about his success. “I was undefeated for eight years. And yet, honestly, I lost the fire because it became normal. You know, you have a fight, you win, you have another fight. So, it becomes normal. “And I think by losing to Alexis, I regained the fire because, yeah, I lost. It’s part of the job, of course. But for me, it was years that I didn’t lose a fight. So, for me, it was good to have a loss.” That loss to Nicolas would ignite a new passion in the Surinamese knockout artist. In the pair’s rematch six months later, Eersel delivered one of the finest performances of his career. He turned up the aggression to a fever pitch while employing fast movement to earn a unanimous decision win and reclaim his gold. That victory, he said, was all about redemption: “I was very happy to get my belt back and get revenge. I proved to myself, to my team, to all the fans, that I’m still the World Champion.” Eersel said that he’s now poised to win the rubber match and close the door on his rivalry with Nicolas. “The Immortal” is ready for another 15-minute war, but if the opportunity presents itself, he knows he’ll jump on the chance to finish “Barboza” in emphatic fashion. “A win in this trilogy means to me that I can end this, once and for all. I hope I can open a new chapter in my career, and we will go forward from there. “I am preparing myself for the five rounds. But when I have the chance to finish him, you will see a sleeping Nicolas.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) For his part, Alexis Nicolas was quick to praise Regian Eersel and all that he’s accomplished across kickboxing and Muay Thai. However, “Barboza” is building his own legacy, as well. After two unforgettable wars in 2024, the Frenchman believes their trilogy bout at ONE Fight Night 30 is sure to deliver even more drama. “Eersel’s a very good fighter. Everybody says and knows that Eersel’s a legend. I’m starting to become a legend, too. So, now, this fight should be legendary. “Our two fights were crazy, maybe the best of 2024. It’s always a pleasure to give this kind of fight for the fans.” While Nicolas entered his first clash with “The Immortal” loaded with the well-deserved confidence of an undefeated rising star, he confesses that he didn’t have the same drive in their second encounter last October. Even though he held the 26 pounds of gold, something was missing. “Going into the rematch as the defending champion, it was different for me. I didn’t get the same fire in my heart. When I watch the rematch, I’m not confident in the same way that I was in the first fight. When I look at my eyes, I know that I’m not the same guy. “Eersel was the best version of himself during the second fight, but I was not.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) With six months to sharpen his mind, hone his technique, and fix any mistakes he made, Nicolas is determined to recapture the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title. “The Frenchman” has nothing personal against Eersel — he’s just the man standing between him and 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold. And like his rival, Nicolas is plenty ready for another five-round firefight and believes he can even score the KO. “I have nothing against Eersel. He’s in my way, and I just want to take the belt. I just want the belt. I’m ready for five rounds against him, but I’m ready to put him out, too.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) Fresh off the heels of its second-ever U.S. blockbuster event, the world’s largest martial arts organization heads back east to Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium with ONE Fight Night 25, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 4. The riveting martial arts showcase is headlined by a must-see World Title rematch. In the headline attraction, undefeated ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Alexis Nicolas puts his coveted belt on the line against former titleholder and reigning lightweight Muay Thai king Regian Eersel, who is eager to become a two-sport ruler once again. Also, in the co-main event, former two-time ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee looks to make his Thai compatriots proud when he goes head-to-head with decorated newcomer Youssef Assouik in an explosive thriller. Plus, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker returns for his second Muay Thai fight, undefeated Colombian phenom Johan Estupinan looks to deliver another bonus-winning performance, and top-five strawweight MMA contenders Bokang Masunyane and Mansur Malachiev hope to inch closer toward a World Title shot. So, mark your calendar, put a reminder in your phone, grab your tickets, and make sure you don’t miss ONE Fight Night 25 live on October 4! View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) On April 4 in U.S. primetime, Regian “The Immortal” Eersel scored a hard-fought victory in the third chapter of his epic rivalry with French sensation Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video. After going 1-1 in a pair of unforgettable ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title bouts, the two fighters went to war once again at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. This time, it was Eersel’s crisp boxing, well-timed counters, and crafty footwork that earned him a second-round knockdown and the majority decision win – albeit no World Title belt after he missed weight for the battle Looking back on his performance, the Surinamese superstar told onefc.com that he executed his strategy to perfection: “The game plan was moving around and trying to box with him. Yeah, the fight was good. I got some clean shots. I hit him with a few kicks, also, and punches. The game plan worked, as you saw. He got the eight-count in the second round. It went well.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) Eersel was both methodical and aggressive in his approach, largely negating his opponent’s crippling leg kicks and high-output attack. Still, now that he’s shared the ring with Nicolas for 45 minutes of frantic action, “The Immortal” has nothing but appreciation for his rival, who remains the only man to defeat him in ONE: “He was well-prepared, Nicolas. He hit me with some good kicks, so props to him. I respect him, but it was not a surprise for me because I already fought him twice, so I knew what to expect. Yeah, it went good.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Ultimately, Eersel said his crucial knockdown in the second frame – courtesy of a thunderous left hook – marked the turning point of the matchup. He had prepared that punch specifically for Nicolas after identifying an opening in his guard, and from there, he knew the fight was his to lose: “The knockdown in the second round was very important for the victory. I saw he was dropping his right hand, so I knew if I landed the left hook or the left kick, high kick, he would get the eight-count, maybe even a knockout. “But yeah, he was well-prepared, so he stood up before the eight-count [was finished]. It was no surprise for me. But I knew for sure that was a turn in the fight, and that way, I secured the win.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sityodtong Amsterdam (@sityodtongamsterdam) Regian Eersel admitted he had to dig deep and push through adversity in his thrilling trilogy bout victory over Alexis Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 30. In their first encounter, Nicolas employed venomous low leg kicks to secure a stunning upset win. While the Frenchman again found success with his leg kicks last Friday, Eersel said his own unshakable mindset allowed him to deal with the damage: “The leg kicks were hurting me. Also the calf kicks. But you know, I was prepared for that. And as I said, I’m mentally strong.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Photo Eminency™ Co.,Ltd. (@photoeminency) Beyond any particular striking technique or specific game plan, Eersel believes the key to his deciding victory was his mental fortitude. He said that little separates him from Nicolas in terms of physical attributes or striking skills. However, he feels that his mind is what truly sets him apart: “Every fight, we were close. But you know, I showed the world why I’m the king of the division, and why I’m a better fighter. Mentally, I had to stay strong. When you are in pain, when you have all the pressure on yourself, I showed the world that I am a true warrior.” Even with his eight-year winning streak snapped, Regian “The Immortal” Eersel still feels he’s the best lightweight striker on the planet The 31-year-old lost his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title to Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas last time out, but he’s ready to gain redemption in their U.S. primetime rematch at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video on Friday, October 4.  Nicolas shocked the world when he dethroned Eersel back in April and ended “The Immortal’s” unbeaten run in ONE Championship – and that still stings for the Surinamese striker as he believes his rival is not on the same level.  However, the only way Eersel can back up his assertion is by reclaiming the gold at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.  “I’m more disappointed that I lost to a guy like Alexis. He’s now the World Champion, but he’s not a fighter in his heart.   “In my way of thinking, he did good. He was smart. He does have my respect by way of intelligence because his strategy was good. But I saw that he’s not a real fighter.  “He came to fight, of course, but the small details, what I saw in his eyes and his body language, he was hurt, and he survived. I could say that he survived.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Nicolas started strong in their first encounter, scoring with solid low kicks in the first round and then dropping Eersel for an eight-count in the second.   “The Immortal” stayed true to his moniker after that and came on strong in the remaining rounds, chasing “Barboza” down to try to win the match. Nicolas got the nod by a fine margin thanks to his knockdown, but that wasn’t enough to convince Eersel that the Frenchman was superior:  “I asked for an immediate rematch because I rewatched the fight with my team and we came to the conclusion that we have to do it again. You cannot win against a champion like that with only a one point difference. And that’s why we asked for the rematch.  “I still believe I’m the best in the world in this division. To lose my streak was difficult, but it gives me the extra spark to show the world – and also to show myself and Alexis – that I’m the better fighter and that I’m the king of the division.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) Still the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion, Regian Eersel wants to get his kickboxing gold back to become the undisputed king of the weight class once again.  To do that, he’s had to accept accountability for his mistakes last April 5 – work he started that very same night by reviewing his performance as soon as he got back to his hotel room.  Reflecting on his errors in the defeat, Eersel said:  “The first round he got me good with the calf kicks. That was a surprise for me. But I was feeling okay. When I felt this power, I was like, ‘I can handle this.’ The only thing was the calf kicks because I never felt that pain before.   “I started blocking too late and the damage was already done so I think that was the problem of the fight for me.  “In the second round, I got knocked down. I was pressuring him a lot. He caught me with the right hook. The moment I got hit, I was going to my ankle. I fell down. I thought, ‘I’ll stand up quickly and we will continue to fight,’ but the referee started counting. So I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m not going to protest, I got hit,’ but it was not like I was dizzy or something like that.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) Since then, Eersel has been working on fine-tuning his game to make sure that he’s in the best position to reclaim the throne.  He’s made the technical adjustments necessary to achieve a different outcome, but he’s also changed his mindset.  After five years at the top in ONE, “The Immortal” acknowledges that he could have lost some of the drive, but now as a challenger again, it’s returned stronger than ever:  “I’ve learned from this loss. I got my hunger back. After staying on top so many years, you lose a little bit of fire. And I noticed it in the fight when I was hurting him and he was running away, I had the extra fire to go through the pain and put more and more pressure on him.  “So I learned I have more fire inside of me, and I learned I have to think and be smarter than him in the next fight.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) Fresh off another outstanding edition of its Asia primetime event series ONE Friday Fights the world’s largest martial arts organization returns to Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium for the second part of its monthly doubleheader The promotion will broadcast ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II live in U.S and the martial arts spectacle is topped by a must-see World Title rematch In the headline attraction, undefeated titleholder Alexis Nicolas will make his first ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title defense against former divisional king Regian Eersel Plus, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker returns for his second professional Muay Thai bout just four weeks after his knockout debut in the sport. For up-to-the-minute results and video highlights from every match at ONE Fight Night 25, check below. You can fool Regian “The Immortal” Eersel once The Surinamese superstar defeated old foe Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas by unanimous decision in the main event of ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video to recapture the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title and once again become a two-sport king in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 4. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Eersel stalked Nicolas around the ring at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok using his jab to set up a plethora of attacks the Sityodtong Amsterdam gym representative snapped his left hand in the face of Nicolas and followed with low kicks The Frenchman absorbed the crushing blows without wilting under the pressure The 26-year-old launched high kicks and spinning attacks with both fists and feet to try and slow Eersel down “The Immortal” laid out the rest of his game plan That plan included staying as close to Nicolas as possible and wearing him down with low kicks as all three judges awarded Eersel the World Title victory Not only did the 31-year-old regain the lightweight kickboxing belt to pair with his lightweight Muay Thai gold but he also bumped his professional record to 62-5 and handed Nicolas the only loss of his 25-fight career Regian “The Immortal” Eersel got a double dose of victory at ONE Fight Night 25 in U.S The Surinamese superstar regained the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title and got redemption for his lone defeat in the world’s largest martial arts organization against Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas.  Nicolas shocked a lot of people when he snapped Eersel’s perfect 10-0 run in the organization to snatch the crown back in April “The Immortal” proved he is still the top dog with a blistering performance at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok Eersel told onefc.com he was fired up after tasting defeat for the first time in eight years and brought that intensity to his rematch with the French phenom: “Of course, people were doubting me, especially the French fans. I got a lot of messages saying that I was going to sleep. But that only added fuel to the fire. It only motivated me, and you saw the result.  “I’m very satisfied [that I avenged my only loss in ONE]. It’s one of the best things. I’m very happy.”  Though it was a hard-fought battle, there was little doubt that Eersel’s hand would be raised at the final bell.  He used his trademark aggression to attack with punches, knees, and heavy low kicks en route to a convincing unanimous decision – and handed Nicolas the first loss of his 25-fight career in the process. The 31-year-old says the key was making the right adjustments to better deal with the tactics of his talented rival: “Alexis is a challenging opponent because of his fighting style. He’s very quick. His fighting [style] is unique, but you saw I found the key to beat him.  “I knew in the last [round] I was winning the fight. I was scoring more points.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Regian Eersel is looking forward to a different challenge after getting revenge against Alexis Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 25.   He came up narrowly short in their first bout but controlled the action for the duration of their second encounter, and a rubber match is not at the top of his agenda.  Instead, the reigning two-sport World Champion feels that he should defend his other belt next to keep the lightweight Muay Thai division moving:  “No, [I don’t think we should have a trilogy fight with Nicolas] right now. Maybe in the future.  “I hope my next fight will be in Muay Thai because the position is waiting for me. It took a long time to defend my Muay Thai belt, so I think now it’s time.   “First, I’m going to enjoy this victory, then we will talk about my next opponent. It can be anybody. Just bring them to me. I have no names. ONE can line them up for me.”  While “the art of eight limbs” is his top priority right now, Eersel could also be enticed by something completely different.   With some MMA and grappling experience thanks to his BJJ black belt father, “The Immortal” is tempted by the idea of changing things up with a unique type of battle. “I can do a mixed-rules fight. Not MMA. It would take more preparation, and it’s not one of my goals.  “What’s most exciting about a mixed-rules fight is you can fight [in] almost all of the disciplines. And it’s a challenge. I like challenges. We have to challenge ourselves – that’s why we’re here.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Of all the things he envisioned for his future, a young Regian “The Immortal” Eersel never thought he would one day be honored in a museum However, the Surinamese striking icon has built his career to such great heights that he has been featured at Amsterdam’s prestigious Wereldmuseum ahead of his rematch with Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video.   Eersel – who is aiming to win back the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, October 4 – was approached to take part in a new martial arts exhibition celebrating the power and beauty of combat traditions. As the reigning ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion and five-time kickboxing king, “The Immortal” was surprised by a visitor at the gym one day who came to ask for his participation.  “He said, ‘I work for the Wereldmuseum in Amsterdam and we are going to do an exhibition about martial arts, including kickboxing and Muay Thai. And I wanted to ask you if we can borrow your ONE Championship belt to put it in the museum.’ I said, ‘Yes, of course.’   “We set up appointments and took some pictures in the gym of me and the belt and they used the pictures to hang around the city.   “People can come to the museum to see a great story and explanation about martial arts.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wereldmuseum Amsterdam (voorheen Tropenmuseum) (@wereldmuseum.amsterdam) Although Eersel is revered globally for his elite striking skills, it can sometimes feel contained within the bubble of the combat sports community.  But with the cultural significance that martial arts have and the way athletes can inspire people, the Wereldmuseum chose to highlight their impact across the world, as well as the prominent sport of kickboxing in their own locality.   Given the massive scope of the project, Eersel was thrilled to be a part of it:  “I feel honored that my belt, my picture, and my story are in the museum in Amsterdam. I feel appreciated. You really can tell now that hard work pays off because the thought that I would be hanging in the museum in Amsterdam is crazy. I feel blessed.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wereldmuseum Amsterdam (voorheen Tropenmuseum) (@wereldmuseum.amsterdam) Even “The Immortal” can feel emotional sometimes.  Known for his unflappable demeanor, Regian Eersel admits that the recognition for his lifetime of hard work in one of Amsterdam’s biggest museums was an impactful moment – especially surrounded by his loved ones.  “At the opening of the exhibition my parents came, and also some of my family members and my manager came, so it was really a moment to stand still and look at what I have accomplished in life and in my career. It was a little bit of an emotional moment.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) Still, he isn’t resigning himself to merely being an artifact in a glass case. Instead, this marker of his efforts has given Eersel more fuel to regain his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title against Alexis Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 25:  “This exhibition motivates me a lot for my next fight. If I win this, it only makes my legacy bigger and bigger. And that’s the motivation that I need. It started a fire inside of me for October 5.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Regian”The Immortal”Eersel (@koolhydraat) The world’s largest martial arts organization returns to U.S. primetime with ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Prime Video this Friday but there’s one last obligation the event’s athletes need to fulfill before they can step into the ring All 22 competitors must pass their hydration tests and make weight to ensure they are fit and ready to perform at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok Fans can tune in to the official ONE Fight Night 25 Weigh-Ins & Hydration Tests A massive rematch tops the bill, as Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas defends his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship against the former titleholder and divisional Muay Thai king, Regian “The Immortal” Eersel.  In April, Nicolas defeated his Surinamese rival via unanimous decision to earn the coveted belt and keep his undefeated record intact. The victory snapped Eersel’s 22-bout winning streak, but that has only made “The Immortal” hungry for redemption. Meanwhile, the Frenchman is determined to prove both to fans and critics that his high-stakes win wasn’t luck, and he wants to reaffirm his position as the top lightweight kickboxer on the planet.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Before that, Kongthoranee Sor Sommai takes on “Samingpri” Tagir Khalilov in a flyweight Muay Thai tilt that could have big ramifications on the rankings After posting an impressive 8-1 slate during his time on ONE Friday Fights, Kongthoranee earned a six-figure contract to compete on the global roster. Though in his last battle, he lost a hard-fought decision against two-sport ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 Conversely, Khalilov has shown his class with wins over elite rivals such as Yodlekpet Or Atchariya and Black Panther. However, after suffering a loss in his most recent clash, the Russian needs a victory to stay within touching distance at the top of the stacked division.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Fans can also look forward to seeing beloved heroes such as Sinsamut “Aquaman” Klinmee, Ayaka “Zombie” Miura, Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan, and many more. Check out the full card below for ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II, which begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT this Friday, October 4.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Undefeated French sensation Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas is hungry to erase any doubt that he’s the best lightweight kickboxer on the planet today The 26-year-old is now in the final preparations for his main event clash against Regian “The Immortal” Eersel at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video, where Nicolas will defend his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) That five-round showdown is slated to air live in U.S primetime on October 4 from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium and for “Barboza,” it will be his chance to pick up a second straight win over Eersel At ONE Fight Night 21 last April Nicolas shocked the world when he scored a hard-fought decision win over the Surinamese star ending Eersel’s years-long winning streak and capturing the lightweight kickboxing crown Looking back on that career-defining performance Nicolas is happy to be the proud new owner of the prestigious golden belt but he is targeting a more emphatic ending in the rematch He told onefc.com: “I felt good, like 12 years of work, it took a long time, but I showed the world who I am. But, I wasn’t happy because I wanted to win by KO. So it was a good win, but I want more.” The newly minted titleholder admits that after two fights and two decision wins in ONE, some fans might be disappointed in his style. Nicolas maintains that against a long-reigning and decorated World Champion like Eersel, finding the knockout isn’t so easy. Still, with some adjustments to his game plan and a desire to prove himself as a true knockout artist, “Barboza” is confident he will find the finish at ONE Fight Night 25: “Eersel is too strong to fight like I would fight in the street. I have to use my IQ. But for the next fight, I’m going to show I’m a very powerful fighter – and I can do everything. So, a lot of crazy punches, crazy, crazy footwork. But I will score a KO in the next fight for sure.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Going into their first fight, few fans and pundits predicted Nicolas to emerge victorious. After all, Eersel was a two-sport ONE World Champion, unbeaten in his previous 22 bouts, and widely recognized as a pound-for-pound great. But it was the Frenchman, with his precise counter-striking, crafty footwork, and stunning power who made “The Immortal” look human. Now, after sharing the ring with Eersel for 15 high-paced minutes, Nicolas is sure he’ll once again prove his doubters wrong: “Eersel was an example for me and now I’m very confident in the fight. Now I know who I am. I know what I can do and I know how I feel when I fight him. He felt my power, he felt how fast I am, how I punch – now we know. “And I just want to have a crazy rematch. It will be a big, big war and everybody will know who I am. I think everybody thinks that Eersel will win, you know, same as the first fight. A lot of people think it was luck, that I was lucky in that fight, but no, no luck – only work and strategy.” Alexis Nicolas has no problem with giving Regian Eersel an immediate rematch. He admits that he walked away with a razor-thin decision in their first encounter, so a second fight is plenty justified: “That fight was very close, so I know ONE Championship wants the rematch. You have to have this rematch because that fight was very close, so I was ready for this.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) While some fighters might be desperate to hold onto the belt at all costs, that’s certainly not the case with Nicolas. Although he’s undefeated and now comfortably sitting atop the kickboxing world, he’s happy to risk it all and once again throw himself into the fire against one of the planet’s most feared strikers. Ultimately, he’s confident that his training and preparations will carry him to another victory at ONE Fight Night 25: “I’ve never lost. But it doesn’t matter if I lose. If I lose, that’s life. I want to go to war, and that’s why I don’t care about the rematch. I have to fight and it will happen. “If I win, it’s good. If I lose, it’s 1-1, and we have to do another rematch. But I will win this fight because I trust in myself. I know the game plan will be different. Eersel will be in the best shape ever. But it’s the same for me, and it will be a crazy fight.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) The world’s largest martial arts organization is returning to U.S primetime with another riveting fight card on Friday ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video airs live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, featuring 11 matchups spread across Muay Thai, kickboxing, MMA, and submission grappling. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) In the main event, reigning two-sport king Roman Kryklia aims for his fifth straight knockout when he defends the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title against WBC Heavyweight Muay Thai World Champion Lyndon Knowles In the co-main event, Regian Eersel and Alexis Nicolas meet in a highly anticipated trilogy showdown The rivals are deadlocked 1-1 in their historic series but only Nicolas is eligible to win the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title after Eersel was stripped for missing championship weight The action-packed lineup also features a showdown between Thai legend Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong and Scottish powerhouse Nico Carrillo, the ONE debut of BJJ superstar Fabricio Andrey, the return of undefeated MMA sensation Sanzhar Zakirov, and much more. For up-to-the-minute results and video highlights from every match at ONE Fight Night 30, refresh below beginning April 4 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Prime Video is packed with intrigue from top to bottom With a card featuring a must-see World Championship main event and several other bouts that could determine the next World Title challengers in multiple divisions fans won’t want to miss a second of the action when it goes down live in U.S there are several established veterans and rising stars who are trying to forge their own paths forward on the global stage the combat sports landscape could shift dramatically by the time the event is over here are three burning questions that will be answered at ONE Fight Night 25 in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium Regian “The Immortal” Eersel felt he’d done enough to retain his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title when he faced Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas in April but a second-round knockdown from the Frenchman proved to be the difference-maker Nicolas took the crown via unanimous decision extending his perfect record to 24-0 in the process but the Dutch-Surinamese striker is convinced he can get redemption in their rematch The undefeated French kickboxer’s strong start seemed to shock “The Immortal” in their first encounter but he’ll have more of an idea about what to expect when they meet again and the defending king also knows Eersel’s game better after their five-round war he’ll enter the ring with confidence knowing he has a win over the division’s most dominant figure Eersel says his hunger has returned in defeat, and he vows to settle the score and put the first blemish on “Barboza’s” record. But has “The Immortal” figured out a way to reverse his fortunes against Nicolas? John “Hands of Stone” Lineker has shown his devastating striking in MMA time after time, but he proved it was just as good in Muay Thai when he dispatched Asa “The American Ninja” Ten Pow at ONE 168: Denver last month Lineker’s debut in “the art of eight limbs” was a dominant one as he punished the slick American with his power en route to a second-round knockout victory The former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion clearly enjoyed his foray into the all-striking world, and now, he returns to face Alexey Balyko in his second Muay Thai battle.  If Lineker can let it rip with his heavy hands, then he will be a threat regardless of the rule set. But following his Muay Thai debut, Balyko will have a better idea of what to expect from the Brazilian, and as a stand-up purist, he may be able to make the adjustments to engineer a different outcome.  The Russian also hits hard, but will he try his luck going blow for blow against “Hands of Stone,” or would that lead to disaster?   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bk Bokang Masunyane (@littlegiant_bk) There are major World Title implications in some of the matchups at ONE Fight Night 25 As the #2-ranked MMA strawweight, Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane has a good platform to launch his offensive on the division’s gold. The South African’s only defeat came to now-reigning interim king Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks but he’s rectified some of his mistakes and got back on the winning track with two wins in a row At #5, Mansur Malachiev is also operating at the top end of the stacked rankings, and he could jump the queue by taking out a rival who’s a few spots ahead of him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MUAY THAI MAGIC® (@muaythaimagic) But those aren’t the only folks with World Title gold in their sights Amy Pirnie made a huge statement in the atomweight Muay Thai division when she knocked out Hong Kong’s Yu Yau Pui in just 49 seconds. Rising star Shir Cohen is 2-0 in the world’s largest martial arts organization and has also enjoyed a good start Whoever leaves the ring victorious could knock on Allycia Hellen Rodrigues’ door and possibly challenge for her ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship The ONE Fight Night series returns on Friday for their 25th event on Amazon Prime Video ONE Fight Night 25 goes down inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok with the following combat sports being showcased – Muay Thai (6) Friday’s main event features a highly-anticipated rematch for the lightweight kickboxing world title Alexis Nicolas pulled off a shocking upset to dethrone Regian Eersel of his status as a two-sport world champion Eersel now looks to utilize his newfound motivation and avenge his defeat against his French counterpart The ONE Fight Night 25 co-main event will be a low-stakes flyweight Muay Thai matchup between Kongthoranee and Tagir Khalilov Both fighters are coming off losses and plans to establish themselves in the division’s title picture with an impressive win Fans can also expect the following matchups later this week – John Lineker vs Alexey Balyko (bantamweight Muay Thai) Bokang Masunyane vs Mansur Malachiev (strawweight MMA) Sinsamut Klinmee vs Youssef Assouik (lightweight Muay Thai) The event airs live on Amazon Prime Video starting at 8 p.m Let’s take a look at the preview and predictions for the event Alexis Nicolas picked up a unanimous decision win back in December when he fought Regian Eersel the first time; can the French fighter recreate that result in the rematch There weren’t many people who thought Alexis Nicolas would defeat Regian Eersel Nicolas held a 1-0 promotional record (UD against Magomed Magomedov) while Eersel was a two-sport world champion with records of 7-0 in kickboxing and 3-0 in Muay Thai Nicolas overcame the odds and dethroned Eersel in the ONE Fight Night 21 main event The Frenchman has another massive hurdle to overcome on Friday as Eersel gained fifteen minutes of data and has a rejuvenated mindset No disrespect to Nicolas’ impressive performance but an argument can be made that Eersel was caught lacking ‘The Immortal’ seemed unbeatable in ONE Championship and could have started to lose motivation after finding much success Eersel won’t be overlooking Nicolas in any way The Suriname-born fighter could also come out more aggressive after typically starting slow in his kickboxing bouts Eersel should be able to utilize his power and fighting experience to ensure he gets his hand raised by unanimous decision in what should be another entertaining battle Both Kongthoranee Sor.Sommai and Tagir Khalilov enter their co-main event showdown coming off of losses; which fighter gets back on track Kongthoranee’s ability to go the distance with Superlek shouldn’t be overlooked especially after what happened with Jonathan Haggerty The 2x Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai world champion has continued to evolve since signing with ONE and should be able to knock out Khalilov in rounds one or two with his speed and power advantage John Lineker scored a huge win in his Muay Thai fight against Asa Ten Pow in Denver; does his momentum continue this weekend Nobody knew what to expect when John Lineker made his promotional Muay Thai debut at ONE 168: Denver The former ONE bantamweight MMA world champion made the most of the opportunity by battering the durable Asa Ten Pow before winning by second-round knockout Lineker will continue his journey in “The Art of Eight Limbs” against Alexey Balyko The 31-year-old Russian holds a promotional record of 3-1 including a first-round knockout against Stefan Korodi last time out Lineker’s lack of pure Muay Thai experience will be a continuous factor moving forward the Brazilian’s relentless aggression and devastating power make him a dangerous opponent for anyone Balyko needs to utilize his leg kicks early to slow down Lineker with ‘Hands of Stone’ winning by unanimous decision Which fight is the sleeper matchup on this card The ONE Fight Night 25 sleeper matchup is a flyweight Muay Thai bout between Johan Estupinan and Zakaria El Jamari Estupinan has separated himself as one of the most entertaining prospects in ONE Championship the Columbian flyweight holds a 3-0 promotional record including a second-round knockout against Sean Climaco at ONE 168 Estupinan’s next test is against El Jamari whose three fights in ONE have been entertaining The Moroccan-born fighter is coming off a loss against Aliff Sor Dechapan as he’s moving up from strawweight and could find success with the decreased weight cut Estupinan’s journey in ONE has been fun and his next test against El Jamari provides fans another opportunity to learn about him Home » MMA News » Alexis Nicolas » Regian Eersel wants ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title back:… Regian Eersel may still be the reigning lightweight Muay Thai king but he wants his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title back “The Immortal” dispatched former lightweight kickboxing World Champion Alexis Nicolas this past Friday, April 4, at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles He outstruck the Frenchman across five rounds to win by unanimous decision in their trilogy bout Eersel was supposed to defend the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title that night That meant that Nicolas was the only fighter able to win the belt And now that the rivalry is settled and Eersel has proven his worth once more he’s eager to reunite with the World Title in the near future “The lightweight kickboxing belt was my first baby so I want it back,” Eersel said in his post-fight interview “I hope ONE Championship gives me the opportunity for the next World Title fight in kickboxing.” Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium with the unanimous decision The Surinamese standout went toe-to-toe with former king Alexis Nicolas in the evening’s co-main event Eersel expressed how damaging Nicolas’ leg kicks were “Barboza” repeatedly found a home for them “The Immortal” is a World Champion for a reason and he credits his mental strength for allowing him to fight through the agony and leave mecca of Muay Thai with the victory there wasn’t any point in the fight where I felt I was in danger he was scoring his points but I didn’t feel any moments when I was in danger.” Alexis Nicolas and Regian Eersel will face off against one another in a highly anticipated rematch 4 event will see the lightweight kickboxing world title be fought for Starting with French Savate as a young man the 26-year-old Nicolas would eventually transition to kickboxing He would add ISKA and Muay Thai gold to his name before debuting in ONE He has a heavy kicking style that has stifled many opponents “I didn’t win against just anyone – I won against Regian Eersel I felt [I was close to knocking him out] after the first round because I worked hard and I saw he wasn’t ready for this.” The Dutch-Surinamese “The Immortal” Eersel is a two-sport world champion in ONE having captured the Muay Thai and kickboxing titles. He began as a taekwondo striker and eventually transitioned to kickboxing he has defeated notable fighters such as Arian Sadiković Alexis Nicolas vs. Regian Eersel will have a rematch showdown for kickboxing gold. It all goes down at ONE Fight Night 25 on Oct Home » MMA News » ONE Championship » Regian Eersel to face Alexis Nicolas in world title trilogy at… A magnificent trilogy will take place on Friday Live in U.S. primetime, reigning ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel will meet Alexis Nicolas in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles The pair hope to settle the score in one of the most intriguing all-striking trilogies in recent times The lightweight standouts became instant rivals in 2024 when Nicolas joined the promotion Eersel had won 11 consecutive bouts in ONE accumulating both of the division’s kickboxing and Muay Thai belts “The Immortal” had defeated fierce competition in Dmitry Menshikov and German standout Arian Sadikovic to continue his unblemished run But Nicolas didn’t buy into the hype He arrived as an unbeaten challenger in his debut at ONE Fight Night 21 last April And he proved his worth by outstriking the Surinamese superstar across five rounds to capture the kickboxing gold and end Eersel’s seven-year unbeaten run Eersel exacted revenge on the French star in his best performance yet He outstruck and outpaced his nemesis for 15 minutes to regain the throne The unanimous decision now ties the scores at one win apiece and sets up an emphatic trilogy inside Lumpinee Stadium with all bragging rights on the line “Save the date,” Eersel wrote on Instagram “We are going to bring violence!” Two-sport ONE World Champion Regian Eersel dominated the promotion for 11 straight outings But that changed when Alexis Nicolas arrived The Frenchman disrupted “The Immortal” one’s reign stripping him of the lightweight kickboxing crown after five rounds many critics considered Eersel one of the top dogs in the pound-for-pound rankings conversations the loss to Nicolas in April last year challenged his positioning So when he faces his arch-rival 12 months after their first meeting Eersel looks to assert his dominance all over again Former ONE featherweight kickboxing champ admits he has ‘another problem’ after putting on 10kg Chingiz Allazov admitted that he could be tempted to return to ONE Championship at lightweight against Regian Eersel ONE’s lightweight kickboxing title is vacant after Eersel lost it on the scale this month but he is the No 1 contender and “needs challengers” Former featherweight kickboxing champ Allazov has not fought since a successful title defence against Marat Grigorian in August 2023.  who was elevated from interim champion after Allazov was finally stripped of the belt for inactivity in January has tried to goad him into coming back for a rematch But 31-year-old Allazov has endured a long standing injury issue and insisted even if he wanted to come back and fight Superbon he would struggle to make the featherweight limit of 155lbs (70kg) “Now I weigh big – I have another problem I upped my weight,” Allazov told the Bangkok Post backstage at Lumpinee Stadium after cornering teammate Roman Kryklia in the ONE Fight Night 30 main event on April 5.  “Not only [do I have] a problem with my health but now I have upped my weight by maybe 10 kilos more That would likely mean a showdown with Eersel who is looking for fresh foes after settling his trilogy with Alexis Nicolas on the same card “Today Eersel did a good job,” Allazov added who was stripped of his belt after failing to pass hydration at the official ONE Fight Night 30 weigh-ins later told the Bangkok Post he would be interested in facing Allazov for the vacant title I'm the No 1 challenger right now for the lightweight world title.” ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Prime Video is an event designed to produce fireworks from top to bottom Set to air live in U.S. primetime this Friday, October 4, the card is headlined by the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title rematch between Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas and Regian “The Immortal” Eersel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Beyond that massive main event, the lineup is stacked with compelling matchups and elite martial artists who will throw down in a mixture of explosive MMA and Muay Thai contests. Take a look at three bouts that could steal the show before the action gets underway at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker is already one of the most beloved brawlers in the history of MMA so it’s no surprise that fans have welcomed the Brazilian’s foray into the all-striking arena After enjoying an unforgettable knockout win over Asa “The American Ninja” Ten Pow in his Muay Thai debut at ONE 168: Denver, the hard-hitting Brazilian makes a quick turnaround to face Russian knockout artist Alexey Balyko in a bantamweight clash. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Lineker’s wildly aggressive, boxing-heavy approach will be put to the test against Balyko, an experienced stand-up specialist who is willing to engage in a firefight if it means he can score the stoppage. Simply put, fans should buckle up and prepare themselves for an instant Fight of the Year contender when these two warriors enter the ring. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Lower on the card, Scottish veteran Amy Pirnie will square off with surging Israeli phenom Shir Cohen in an atomweight Muay Thai tilt that guarantees white-knuckle action for as long as it lasts A decorated champion outside of ONE, Pirnie made her promotional debut in August at ONE Fight Night 24, where she ended Yu Yau Pui‘s winning streak with one of the year’s most spectacular knockouts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) That one-punch KO caught the attention of fans and instantly made the 31-year-old a serious contender in the atomweight ranks. She’ll hope to keep her momentum going with another big finish, but standing across from her will be one of Muay Thai’s most skilled young talents. The 23-year-old Cohen is a fearless, forward-marching scrapper who thrives in blood-and-guts wars – and boasts a 2-0 record in the world’s largest martial arts organization. Given each woman’s penchant for trading leather, this contest is unlikely to disappoint. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Finally, fan-favorite “Mini T” Danial Williams will bring his high-octane style to Bangkok in a flyweight MMA clash against China’s Banma “The Prince” Duoji One of the few athletes to have competed in Muay Thai Williams has earned a reputation as must-watch television every time he competes Despite struggling against truly elite competition in his last few outings the Australian-Thai remains one of the organization’s most entertaining fighters with all the skills to capture 26 pounds of gold is a prodigious athlete and prolific finisher sporting stoppages in all but one of his 15 career victories with both men hungry to climb the flyweight MMA ranks – and neither man knowing what it means to be in a boring fight – fans can look forward to an epic battle at ONE Fight Night 25 ‘G-Unit’ also open to fighting Sinsamut and Nieky Holzken but says ‘I’m on bigger things’ than British rival Liam Nolan following ONE Fight Night 30 victory in Bangkok George Jarvis has set his sights on facing Regian Eersel for ONE Championship lightweight gold after an impressive debut in Bangkok The 24-year-old Englishman knocked Mouhcine Chafi down twice en route to a unanimous decision in their catchweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 30 That made it three wins on the bounce for “G-Unit” who earned a contract coming through ONE Friday Fights and he could now be fast-tracked for a title shot but a lack of clear challengers for Surinamese striker Eersel may open the door – and he would be willing to walk through it “Yeah for sure,” he told Bangkok Post backstage at Lumpinee Stadium after his win it's starting to become a bit like a second home.  “So it's great to be back and if they want to give me that shot then me and my team will be ready for that Eersel was the proud owner of two belts but lost his ONE lightweight kickboxing title on the scale after failing to pass hydration The 32-year-old veteran managed to grind out a majority decision win in the co-main event over Alexis Nicolas who was the only fighter eligible to win the belt Though kickboxing is far from Jarvis’ first love he is game to challenge Eersel for the vacant title I've done a kickboxing [fight] against Ricardo Bravo and I feel like my style now is slightly adapting to that kind of style of kickboxing anyway,” he said I'm buzzing for all these opportunities ahead.” Eersel told the Bangkok Post he received a guarantee from CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong that he would be fighting on August’s card in Denver – meaning Jarvis and his team could be heading Stateside I've always wanted to fight in America,” he added but I would love to go back and do it on the big stage for sure.  But a different task and it's just ticking off another box on the journey I've got a great team and I'd love to travel the world with them for sure.” there are still several big names on his mind for his return to the ring who has performed a sudden U-turn on a shock retirement announcement in January I thought he was retired,” Jarvis said “The fight's gonna happen at some point It's not really a fight I'm overly buzzing about because I feel like I'm on bigger things than that.  ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Prime Video brings another thrilling fight card to the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.   On Friday, October 4, the global fan base will get to witness a huge World Championship clash, potential top contender bouts, and exciting rising stars all looking to make a big impression.   Every bout has Fight of the Night potential so there will be plenty to enjoy.   Here are the top five reasons to tune in when the action gets underway live in U.S. primetime.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) The main event pits Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas and Regian “The Immortal” Eersel together in a rematch for the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title.   Nicolas shocked the division’s once-dominant king with an early knockdown and fended off a late surge to snatch the belt by decision in a fascinating five-round war in April.   Eersel showed his trademark durability and relentless pressure to make it close, but he still lost his gold and had his 10-fight winning streak snapped.  The second battle brings even more to the table. The unbeaten “Barboza” wants to prove his first victory over “The Immortal” was no fluke. Meanwhile, Eersel’s main goal is to return to the top of the division he had ruled for so long. This should bring out the hungriest and most determined versions of both men – and that’s an enticing prospect for fight fans.   On the heels of a knockout win in his Muay Thai debut at ONE 168: Denver, John “Hands of Stone” Lineker returns to “the art of eight limbs” in a bantamweight clash against Alexey Balyko The hard-hitting Brazilian stunned the U.S. fans with a dominant stoppage over seasoned striker Asa “The American Ninja” Ten Pow and he clearly has a taste for throwing hands without the threat of a takedown Balyko is another tough test who has proven himself in the stand-up ranks The Russian has picked up two knockouts in his three ONE wins to date, including a stoppage over three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin.  The two explosive sluggers always enter the ring with the intention of getting the job done as emphatically as possible, and if they start swinging toe-to-toe to achieve that end, it will result in an all-out war.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Another winner from the ONE 168 card will return to the fray as Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan looks to extend his unbeaten record against Zakaria EI Jamari Estupinan enters this flyweight Muay Thai clash at 3-0 in ONE and 25-0 overall, having recently finished Sean Climaco in a fast-paced brawl in Denver.   The Colombian could make a huge statement with a fourth straight victory, though it’s been his high-octane and inventive style that has really endeared him to the fans.   El Jamari knows that “Panda Kicks’s” star is rising fast, and he’ll see this as a big chance to steal his opponent’s momentum using his heavy hands.  With crisp boxing and plenty more tools in his arsenal, the Moroccan has the skills to derail Estupinan’s stunning run. But the Colombian will bring his diverse tool kit to Lumpinee Stadium to make sure that doesn’t happen.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) As the only major organization showcasing the world’s elite strawweights ONE offers up a batch of incredible battles in the division on October 4 In MMA, #2-ranked strawweight MMA contender Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane is set to face #5-ranked Mansur Malachiev, while the #4 Hiroba Minowa meets rising star Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov Masunyane has promised to go all-out for the finish in order to secure himself the next shot at his division’s gold but Malachiev will attempt to jump the queue with a victory over the South African standout Minowa has consistently faced the best of the best But after three straight wins in the world’s largest martial arts organization the 12-0 Zakirov can’t wait to tap into the strawweight upper echelon The Muay Thai ranks will see crowd-pleaser Thongpoon PK Saenchai duke it out with the never-ending intensity of Rui Botelho, as both men are eager to show that strawweights can pack serious power.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Fans will also be treated to crucial action in the women’s atomweight divisions Ayaka “Zombie” Miura goes up against Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan in a matchup that pits two well-versed grapplers together Miura is the epitome of a specialist with a proven track record of implementing her signature move Her Malaysian rival will have to draw on all of her ground acumen to stay out of trouble and turn the tables on the Japanese star In a contrasting battle, Amy Pirnie will face Shir Cohen under Muay Thai rules with both women eager to build on their explosive starts in ONE Pirnie knocked out the surging Yu Yau Pui in her promotional debut while Israel’s Cohen looks to improve on the 2-0 foundation she has set on the global stage The world’s largest martial arts organization returned to action on April 4 with a U.S primetime fight card loaded with intriguing matchups and no shortage of dramatic moments Topped by a ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title clash, ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video went down at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) The victory further cemented the Ukrainian giant as one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound strikers and extended his ONE Championship record to a pristine 7-0. Before that, Regian “The Immortal” Eersel picked up a hard-fought decision victory over familiar foe Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas, gaining a 2-1 edge in their epic rivalry. The bout was originally slated to have Eersel’s ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title on the line, but when the Surinamese superstar failed to make weight while hydrated, he was stripped of the gold. In other notable action, Asa “The American Ninja” Ten Pow stunned the Bangkok crowd by doing what few thought was possible – finishing beloved Thai brawler Seksan “The Man Who Yields To No One” Or Kwanmuang Plus, highly touted promotional newcomers Elmehdi “The Sniper” El Jamari and Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey each shined in their respective ONE Championship debuts. Look back at all the action from ONE Fight Night 30 through the lenses of ONE’s talented ringside photographers PodcastPremium DirectoryThe Black Belt List In a highly anticipated rematch, Regian Eersel, known as "The Immortal," sought redemption against Alexis Nicolas, who had dethroned him six months prior. From the opening bell, Eersel wasted no time, aggressively pushing the pace to reclaim his crown. Although Nicolas fought valiantly, Eersel's relentless attack secured him a unanimous decision victory, once again making him the king of the lightweight kickboxing division. John Lineker showcased his fearsome power in the four-ounce Muay Thai gloves The Brazilian's legendary left hook was too much for Russia’s Alexey Balyko who was knocked down twice before a third devastating blow left him out cold he's closing in on bantamweight title contention The flyweight Muay Thai division also witnessed a rising star in Johan Estupinan The Colombian sensation extended his unbeaten streak to 5-0 finishing Zakaria El Jamari with a knockout just over a minute into the second round Estupinan's electrifying style and string of finishes are earning him a growing fanbase and positioning him as a future contender to watch You can catch the full event on demand on Prime Video Zakaria El Jamari via KO at 1:07 of Round 2 Thongpoon PK Saenchai via unanimous decision This thrilling night of martial arts further cemented ONE Championship as a must-watch destination for fight fans with champions rising and new contenders making their mark in the ring Accessibility Statement About  Black Belt Hall of Fame Advertise & Contact Privacy Policy Terms of use ‘The Immortal’ vows to win back his ‘baby’ after losing lightweight kickboxing title on the scale before ONE Fight Night 30 Regian Eersel has set his sights on a Muay Thai title defence in Denver – and reclaiming the vacant ONE Championship lightweight kickboxing title “maybe before that” “The Immortal” is “looking forward” after putting an intense rivalry with Alexis Nicolas to bed – for now – with a majority decision in last week’s ONE Fight Night 30 co-main event But the 32-year-old Surinamese striker was left empty handed after he lost the belt on the scale having failed to pass hydration at the official weigh-ins in Bangkok “Three fights is enough,” Eersel told the Bangkok Post backstage at Lumpinee Stadium I hope I'm going to defend my Muay Thai belt in Denver I'm going to get my kickboxing belt back.” British newcomer George Jarvis stuck his hand up to challenge Eersel in Muay Thai after an impressive unanimous decision over Mouhcine Chafi earlier on the card.  I see him [Jarvis] as a potential challenger,” Eersel said We will see who the organisation have for me I think he has to fight again and again before he can compete for the world championship.  I think I'm the No 1 challenger right now for the lightweight world title Eersel admitted he was “very upset” not to be holding his “baby” – the lightweight kickboxing title – backstage “I proved that mentally I'm the stronger fighter “We're warriors.But I leave it all behind I'm happy now that I got the win and I'm just looking forward now.” Eersel was still baffled by his weigh-ins fiasco when he failed to pass hydration and was stripped of the ONE lightweight kickboxing title “Maybe I have to find a professional to help me through the hydration test,” he added “But I don't know what went wrong.  Nicolas – who dethroned Eersel in April 2024 before his rival reclaimed the title in October – was left in tears at the conclusion of a trilogy that has dominated the two men’s lives for more than a year.  Eeersel admitted he was “expecting” another close fight on the judges’ scorecards but his second-round knockdown made all the difference.  “He made his points in the later rounds,” Eersel said “I think if I didn't get the eight count and I hurt him also later in the rounds with the left hook So it was all part of the game plan.” Regian Eersel is once against a two-sport World Champion after reclaiming the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing Title at ONE Fight Night 25 The Surinamese star has been near-perfect in ONE Championship and avenged his only loss to Alexis Nicolas in a five-round affair Erasing the bitter taste of defeat was the only motivation that Eersel needed but he got more from Nicolas’ fans on social media “The Immortal” was thrilled to silence them with a clear-cut decision win “I got a lot of messages [saying] that I was going to sleep and you saw the result,” Eersel told ONE following the event Eersel felt comfortable in the championship rounds knowing he was outpointing his French opponent nothing was official until the cards were read Nicolas has proven to be a tough test for the Surinamese star Eersel offered up praise for his biggest challenge to date after leveling the series at one each “Alexis is a challenging opponent because of his fighting style but you saw I found the key to beat him,” the two-sport king admitted A trilogy is not going to be in the cards right away Eersel shot down the proposition after the event But that does leave the question of who will be the next challenger So we will see who ONE brings for me,” Eersel offered “The Immortal” has another title to defend Defending the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai Championship is what Eersel plans to do next “I hope my next fight will be in Muay Thai because the position is waiting for me It took a long time to defend my Muay Thai belt so I think now it’s time,” the Surinamese star said he said he will revel in the win against Nicolas The talented striker avenged his last performance and resumed his role as titleholder in the lightweight division As ONE released their 2025 schedule with two American dates on the lineup Eersel said he would love to compete stateside if given the opportunity Alexis Nicolas ended the incredible unbeaten run of Regian Eersel to capture the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Fight Night 21 That loss has eaten away at “The Immortal” ever since Eersel remains unconvinced that the newly minted king is worthy of the throne and plans to take it back at ONE Fight Night 25 on Friday “I’m more disappointed that I lost to a guy like Alexis but he’s not a fighter in his heart,” Eersel said to ONE He does have my respect by way of intelligence because his strategy was good what I saw in his eyes and his body language Eersel petitioned for an immediate rematch how close the match was for the Surinamese striker plagued his thoughts “I asked for an immediate rematch because I rewatched the fight with my team and we came to the conclusion that we have to do it again You cannot win against a champion like that with only a one point difference And that’s why we asked for the rematch,” the former champion remarked “I still believe I’m the best in the world in this division but it gives me the extra spark to show the world – and also to show myself and Alexis – that I’m the better fighter and that I’m the king of the division.” Eersel noted that the strategy to attack his calves was one of the biggest factors in the matchup Nicolas scored an early knockdown in the match the damaging low kicks helped put him out in front and take away some of the Surinamese star’s movement and power “The first round he got me good with the calf kicks ‘I can handle this.’ The only thing was the calf kicks because I never felt that pain before,” Eersel remarked “I started blocking too late and the damage was already done so I think that was the problem of the fight for me.” ‘I’ll stand up quickly and we will continue to fight,’ but the referee started counting I got hit,’ but it was not like I was dizzy or something like that.” If he can capture the magic that led him to the top of the division a main event barnburner is in store for fans on October 4 And I noticed it in the fight when I was hurting him and he was running away I had the extra fire to go through the pain and put more and more pressure on him,” Eersel said “So I learned I have more fire inside of me and I learned I have to think and be smarter than him in the next fight.” ONE Fight Night 25 airs live and free on Prime Video at 8 p.m for all Amazon Prime members based in the U.S The world’s largest martial arts organization will return to the U.S primetime airwaves with another must-see event this Friday ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video was designed with entertainment in mind, from the intriguing matchups that populate the undercard all the way up to the massive World Title clashes at the top of the bill. The legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, will play host to the card — a fitting venue for a show that has all the makings of a thriller. Before the action gets underway, we take a closer look at why fans won’t want to miss a second of ONE Fight Night 30. (Update April 4: Regian Eersel has been stripped of the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title after failing to make weight while hydrated Only Alexis Nicolas is eligible to win the World Title at ONE Fight Night 30.) A pair of ONE World Titles will be on the line in the final two bouts of the card each featuring some of the planet’s most talented pound-for-pound strikers First, two-sport kingpin Regian “The Immortal” Eersel will defend his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship against former titleholder Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas in a trilogy fight that fans have been waiting for. Almost exactly one year ago, Nicolas shocked the world when he employed his venomous boxing attack and crippling low kicks to secure a unanimous decision victory over Eersel. In the process, he claimed the lightweight kickboxing crown and gave the Surinamese sensation his first loss in more than eight years. Six months later, “The Immortal” would earn his revenge and reclaim his belt in an electrifying, back-and-forth war with the Frenchman. He would also hand Nicolas the only defeat of his career. These two will now settle the score once and for all, and if their first two battles were any indication, the rubber match should deliver fireworks from start to finish. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) In the main event, two-sport, two-division titleholder Roman Kryklia will defend his ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championship against decorated British striker Lyndon Knowles. The towering Ukrainian has looked nothing short of spectacular through six fights and six dominant victories in ONE, using his crispy boxing game and show-stopping power to cement himself as the baddest man on the planet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) “Knowlesy,” though, might be the one to knock Kryklia off his throne. The 38-year-old is a three-time WBC Muay Thai World Champion and supremely well-rounded striker who has spent more than two decades perfecting his craft. With his big power and vicious clinch game, Knowles has what it takes to hand Kryklia his first loss since 2018 and leave Bangkok with 26 pounds of gold in tow. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Lower on the card, “King of the North” Nico Carrillo will bring his immense talent and crowd-pleasing style back to the featherweight Muay Thai division. At ONE Fight Night 30, he’ll take on #4-ranked divisional contender Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong Carrillo used his savage finishing instincts to fuel his meteoric rise through the bantamweight Muay Thai division rattling off four straight knockouts to earn his shot at interim gold earlier this year While he would suffer defeat at the hands of Thai-Algerian phenom Nabil Anane, the Scottish destroyer is now ready to take the featherweight Muay Thai division by storm — and he’s being thrown into the deep end. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Although he’s still just 33 years old, Sitthichai has enjoyed incredible success across both kickboxing and Muay Thai, and he is the only man to defeat reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai in ONE under the Global Muay Thai Rule Set. “Killer Kid” is undoubtedly motivated to defend his spot in the top-five rankings and work his way toward a rematch with his compatriot for the coveted belt. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FloGrappling (@flograppling) ONE Championship is continuing to add the planet’s most electrifying submission grapplers to its roster, and the latest promotional newcomer is high-flying submission hunter Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey The Brazilian is set to square off against ultra-skilled Welshman Ashley Williams in a featherweight submission grappling tilt that fans won’t want to miss. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tatami Fightwear Ltd (@tatamifightwear) An IBJJF World Champion renowned for his absurd athleticism, high-amplitude takedowns, and flashy submission game, Andrey is the epitome of an entertainer — and there’s no doubt he has the all-around talent to become a ONE World Champion. Williams, though, is no pushover. The 32-year-old has long been regarded as the UK’s top male BJJ black-belt competitor, and his gritty, high-paced style of grappling should make for excitement against “Hokage.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Undefeated Uzbek prodigy Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov has all the makings of a global MMA superstar. He hopes to keep his momentum going and continue his climb toward ONE Championship gold when he battles Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane in a flyweight MMA scrap. At just 21 years old, Zakirov already boasts an impressive 13-0 professional record that includes five thrilling wins (and three stoppages) in ONE, earning himself the #5 spot in the strawweight MMA rankings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) “Tornado’s” preternatural athleticism and well-rounded skills have set him apart as one of the most promising rising stars in recent years. A win over a powerhouse grappler like Masunyane would erase any doubt that he belongs among the very best mixed martial artists on the planet. Indeed, “Little Giant” is always a difficult puzzle to solve. With his explosive takedowns and endless gas tank, he’s sure to give the young phenom all that he can handle. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) fans of “the art of eight limbs” are in for a treat at ONE Fight Night 30 as half of the card is made up of small-gloved Muay Thai contests In addition to the pair of previously mentioned high-stakes Muay Thai bouts, the card will feature the return of beloved Thai brawler Seksan “The Man Who Yields To No One” Or Kwanmuang, who takes on Asa “The American Ninja” Ten Pow in a 142-pound tilt that is guaranteed to produce white-knuckle action. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Also, surging British star George “G-Unit” Jarvis hopes to make waves in his U.S. primetime debut and extend his winning streak to four when he squares off against fearless Spanish-Moroccan striker Mouhcine Chafi in a lightweight showdown And in strawweight action, Thai fan-favorite Thongpoon PK Saenchai will look to exact a bit of revenge against promotional newcomer Elmehdi “The Sniper” El Jamari — the brother of the first man to defeat him in ONE, Zakaria El Jamari. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONE Championship (@onechampionship) Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas has big plans for his reign as the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion On October 4 in U.S. primetime, the undefeated Frenchman will defend his gold for the first time against the man he wrested the World Title from, Regian “The Immortal” Eersel, in the main event of ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video That five-round battle will go down at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium – the same venue where Nicolas defeated Eersel just five months ago snapping the former titleholder’s years-long run of dominance Boasting a pristine 24-0 professional record and sporting 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold around his waist the 26-year-old sensation is now rightfully recognized as one of the planet’s top strikers “Barboza” told onefc.com that he’s enjoyed a warm reception in his home nation since winning the belt but that his work as the World Champion is only just beginning: “Everybody was proud in France. Now, a lot of people know me and recognize me in the street. My mother is so proud of me, but she knows that I have to stay focused. She told me I have to stay focused. “Now I’m the king, and everybody wants to take the crown, so I have to stay focused. Make more money, build my empire, and fight, fight, fight.” As for building his empire, Nicolas knows he must first be successful in the ring, and that means defeating a superstar in Eersel for the second time. Beyond his performances in competition, though, he dreams of becoming a bona fide superstar who spreads the sport of kickboxing all over the world. To that end, he’s taking steps – such as learning English – to become even more recognized on a global scale: “I have to become a superstar in France and in all the world. Now, I am in France, but I want to do the same thing in Thailand, all over the world, in the U.S. “So I have to fight, and I have to show that kickboxing is a very good sport and make everybody want to do kickboxing, so I have to speak better English. It’s a very good thing because now I’m recognized.” As France’s first-ever ONE World Champion, Nicolas hopes to use his newfound star power to bring the world’s largest martial arts organization to his country. If he can get past “The Immortal” at ONE Fight Night 25, he will have further cemented himself as one of France’s brightest stars – a weight that he’s happy to carry: “My dream is to bring ONE Championship to France. To bring ONE Championship to France, it’s a big dream for me, and if I can put it on my shoulders, I want to.” Beyond his visions of global superstardom, Alexis Nicolas has a straightforward mindset for his time as the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion – fight and fight often. He spoke about what fans can expect going forward: “A lot of fights, a lot of winning, a lot of KOs, and of course, a lot of money because I need to build my empire to make my family and me safe. I want to become a superstar. I want to be appreciated by ONE Championship fans.” If he wants to be an active ONE superstar, “Barboza” is off to a strong start. He made a successful promotional debut in January before snapping Regian Eersel’s eight-year winning streak in April, and he will next defend the newly earned gold at ONE Fight Night 25. Nicolas says that as long as his body holds up and ONE will allow it, he’ll compete as often as he possibly can: “I just want to fight. Like, if I can fight every three months, I’ll fight every three months. If I can fight more, I’m ready. Kickboxing is my life, so I don’t want to just be a superstar. I want to be a super fighter.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) Lumpinee Stadium was again electric as ONE Championship arrived back in Bangkok, Thailand, for ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Prime Video. The U.S. primetime event on October 4 saw a World Title change hands, a pair of incredible knockouts, a massive upset, and so much more. As fall begins to change the color of the leaves, here are the biggest takeaways that could change what comes next for ONE Fight Night 25’s cast of stars. Surinamese superstar Regian “The Immortal” Eersel was on a mission to regain his two-sport World Champion status and reclaim his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title from rival Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas “The Immortal” put the Frenchman under duress from the opening bell but the latter eventually matched that energy and turned the tilt into an all-out war worthy of its main event slot Eersel had remained undefeated in ONE Championship until Nicolas shocked the world at ONE Fight Night 21 this past April Nicolas proved there was nothing flukish about that World Title victory Although the 26-year-old came out on the losing end this time he was right there alongside one of kickboxing’s all-time greats Eersel needed an adversary like Nicolas to continue writing his masterful legacy “The Immortal” took back what he believed was rightfully his all along — the lightweight kickboxing gold STATEMENT MADE 💯 Youssef Assouik outduels Sinsamut in his ONE debut!Tune in to Prime Video and Sky Sports NOW to catch the rest of ONE Fight Night 25!#ONEFightNight25 | 🔴 Live Now🇺🇸🇨🇦 Watch Live on Prime 👉https://t.co/cGrOoYkCs3🇬🇧🇮🇪 Watch Live on Sky Sports🌍 Live TV… pic.twitter.com/4BcLZzQIUM Eersel is also the current ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion and before his headlining matchup on Friday two of his top contenders were duking it out in the co-main event It was three rounds of back-and-forth action, but debutant Youssef Assouik utilized his range and kicking game to edge out former World Title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee on the judges’ scorecards. The Danish-Moroccan striker not only took home a pivotal win that moved his career mark to 28-3 but also put forth a performance that showed he’s a credible threat to “The Immortal.” Assouik’s length, technique, and battle-tested chin are all elements that could make him the next man in line for a crack at the Muay Thai gold. Defeating Sinsamut is a result that undoubtedly captured the reigning king’s attention. ONE has showcased the pure exhilaration of Muay Thai in 4-ounce gloves, and former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker is seemingly built for this sport Lineker looked exceptional in his professional Muay Thai debut against Asa Ten Pow at ONE 168: Denver in September delivering an impressive second-round finish At ONE Fight Night 25, Lineker blasted battle-tested Russian Alexey Balyko with his trademark left for two early knockdowns. Sensing the finish, Lineker went ballistic with right and left hooks. Ultimately, a right hook and then another left separated Balyko from his senses before the first round had ended. Lineker is not beating cannon fodder in these Muay Thai outings; he is taking out top-flight strikers who have enjoyed success on the global stage. Now 2-0 in “the art of eight limbs,” the Brazilian is living up to his nickname and making sure every athlete in the bantamweight Muay Thai division is taking notice. Johan Estupinan has been nothing short of electric since arriving in ONE the undefeated sensation owns a 4-0 promotional record with three highlight-reel finishes “Panda Kick” was in the face of Zakaria El Jamari from the moment the first bell rang in their flyweight Muay Thai clash last Friday El Jamari fired away in the face of that pressure for a few minutes but it became overwhelming in the second frame Estupinan broke the guard of his foe and dropped him with a stiff left straight hand which resulted in another jaw-dropping finish for the 22-year-old phenom Estupinan’s rocket ship ride through the flyweight Muay Thai division could be heading toward opponents in the top-five rankings, where Estupinan would truly find out if he belongs among the elite. Shir Cohen was unphased by Amy Pirnie‘s remarkable 22-bout winning streak She showed no fear of the Scottish megastar en route to a convincing unanimous decision victory in their 119.25-catchweight Muay Thai contest the young Israeli began beating her to the literal punch and Pirnie’s face told the tale of the final six minutes Cohen has emerged as an unassuming Muay Thai star with a perfect 3-0 ONE record and a 10-1 professional slate and a warrior’s heart – all required for a championship pedigree In the race to challenge Allycia Hellen Rodrigues for the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title Cohen took a huge step forward at ONE Fight Night 25 On Friday, Oct. 4, ONE Championship will host ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok The event airs live on Amazon Prime Video starting at 8 p.m Get ready for a thrilling night of martial arts action in U.S. primetime as ONE Championship returns to Bangkok, Thailand, for ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II! In the main event, undefeated ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Alexis Nicolas puts his belt on the line in a heated rematch with former titleholder and reigning lightweight Muay Thai king Regian Eersel! Plus, Thai sensation Kongthoranee and Russian star Tagir Khalilov square off in a flyweight Muay Thai thriller, while Brazilian hard-hitter John Lineker makes a quick turnaround against Alexey Balyko in a bantamweight Muay Thai firefight! Also competing on the stacked card are former two-time ONE World Title challenger Sinsamut, Japanese judoka Ayaka Miura, Colombian sensation Johan Estupinan, and MORE! Check out the full card below, and make sure you tune in live! #ONEFightNight25 #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship SATURDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2024 PlayLoading... ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organisation, returned to the historic Lumpinee Stadium for ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II.In the main event, reigning ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel reclaimed the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title after an intense five-round rematch against Alexis“Barboza” Nicolas. Fueled by a desire for redemption, Eersel mounted pressure on his French rival from the opening bell. He demonstrated his will to win by relentlessly pressing forward, delivering a barrage of powerful right hands. While “Barboza” found opportunities to shine in the later rounds, “The Immortal” had already established a commanding lead to cruise to a unanimous decision win. The result reinstated Eersel’s lofty status as a two-sport ONE World Champion. In the co-main event, Youssef Assouik was successful in his ONE Championship debut, scoring a unanimous decision victory over former ONE World Title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee in their lightweight Muay Thai showdown. The Danish-Moroccan skillfully balanced his attacks while landing clean counter-strikes on his Thai opponent. This tactical execution effectively neutralised Sinsamut’s trademark aggressiveness. As Sinsamut sought to turn the tide in the final round, Assouik showcased superior offence down the stretch, ultimately securing the win on the judges’ scorecards. See the complete results below. For all remaining reports, please visit www.onefc.com. ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II Complete Results Regian Eersel def. Alexis Nicolas via unanimous decision to reclaim the ONE Lightweight KickboxingWorld Title Youssef Assouik def. Sinsamut Klinmee via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – lightweight) John Lineker def. Alexey Balyko via KO (left hook) at 2:14 of round one (Muay Thai – bantamweight) Mansur Malachiev def. Bokang Masunyane via unanimous decision (MMA – strawweight) Johan Estupinan def. Zakaria El Jamari via KO (punch combination) at 1:07 of the second round (Muay Thai– flyweight) Shir Cohen def. Amy Pirnie via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – catchweight 119.25 lbs) Rui Botelho def. Thongpoon PK Saenchai via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – strawweight) Danial Williams def. Banma Duoji via unanimous decision (MMA – catchweight 136.25 lbs) Thai Parliament built for 20B, seeks 1B repairs after 5 years Health Ministry warns of deadly 'Deafness Fever' outbreak DPU trains 98 game designers to promote Thai-made games as new soft power NEPC sets electricity price cap at 3.99 baht per unit until end of 2025 RTAF scrambles F-16s to intercept aircraft near Thai-Myanmar border Home » MMA News » ONE Championship » Regian Eersel relishes redemption win at ONE Fight Night 25:… Regian Eersel went home a happy man following his exhilarating performance in the main event of ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video last Friday There, “The Immortal” reclaimed the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship after an intense five-round rematch against Alexis Nicolas The Surinamese-Dutch star entered the bout in Bangkok Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium with a clear goal in mind — redemption After narrowly losing the belt in their first encounter this past April pressing forward and unloading a barrage of powerful right hands that kept Nicolas on the defensive Though Nicolas found moments of success in the later rounds Eersel had already built a commanding lead His relentless pace left little room for his French rival to mount a comeback Eersel was awarded a well-deserved unanimous decision win The victory reinstated Eersel’s states as a two-sport World Champion as he also holds the divisional Muay Thai crown beating Nicolas was not only a career milestone but also a personal triumph “I got a lot of messages [saying] that I was going to sleep Regian Eersel has no plans to pursue a trilogy bout with Nicolas at this point he looks forward to new challenges in both kickboxing and Muay Thai eager to see what ONE Championship has in store for him next A colossal lineup of martial arts action awaits the global fan base when ONE Championship returns to U.S. primetime on April 4 with ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles, which broadcasts live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The card is headlined by two massive World Title showdowns. In the main event, towering two-sport king Roman Kryklia defends the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title and seeks his fifth straight knockout victory. But his challenger, WBC Heavyweight Muay Thai World Champion Lyndon Knowles, has every intention of claiming the richest prize in the sport and ending Kryklia’s flawless run in ONE Championship. Plus, Regian Eersel and Alexis Nicolas square in a highly anticipated trilogy showdown. The heated rivals are deadlocked at 1-1 in their heart-pounding series, but only Nicolas is eligible to win the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship after Eersel was stripped for missing championship weight. Mark your calendar, put a reminder in your phone, grab your tickets, and make sure you don’t miss ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles! ‘The Immortal’ wants more respect having regained his lightweight kickboxing title from Alexis Nicolas in a ONE Fight Night 25 classic in Bangkok Regian Eersel has told ONE Championship to “promote me more” after a record-extending title fight win on Saturday in Bangkok “The Immortal” handed Alexis Nicolas a first career defeat to win back his lightweight kickboxing title in an instant classic at Lumpinee Stadium Surinamese 31-year-old Eersel now stands alone with the most title fight wins in ONE history pushing his tally to nine – and moving one ahead of Nong-O Hama who previously shared top spot on the list who also holds the promotion’s lightweight Muay Thai belt and backstage he demanded some more respect be put on his name ONE have to promote me more,” Eersel told the Bangkok Post.  “I don’t know [why they don’t promote him] – ask them “So I’m not creating any noise Eersel regained his “first love” – the kickboxing title which he won in just his second fight in the promotion in May 2019.  He made four successful defences of the belt before losing it to France’s Nicolas by unanimous decision in April his first defeat in more than eight years.  he did not mind one of his entourage in the media room spilled a bottle of water on his newly won 26lbs of gold having placed the belt on the table in front of the champ for the interview under the water – it doesn’t matter I told you I was going to create beautiful violence and I did Frenchman Nicolas and his team could be heard shouting for a “trilogy” in the halls of Lumpinee after the loss and Eersel is open to the idea – but further down the line I think in the future we can do a trilogy but not right now because I’ve also got another belt and the division is waiting on me “We will see – whoever ONE gives me A rematch with Dmitry Menshikov – whom Eersel knocked out in 49 seconds to defend his Muay Thai belt in June 2023 – could be on the cards with the Russian having bounced back to reel off three straight KO wins himself Eersel seemed happy to revel in the moment.  He savoured the love and congratulations from Thai fans outside in the stadium car park after finishing his media duties taking pictures and videos with everyone who wanted them He also enjoyed the “amazing energy” of those inside the famed arena – especially the vocal enemy contingent When I was coming up [to the ring] somebody screamed you’re going to sleep!’” Eersel added with a laugh.  We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it OK Privacy policy Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas’ career has taken a seismic upward shift in 2024 as he went from a ONE Championship debutant to the top lightweight kickboxer on the planet in a matter of months Nicolas ended Regian “The Immortal” Eersel’s dominant reign to claim the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title back in April, and he will defend the belt against Eersel in a highly anticipated rematch at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 4.   The undefeated Frenchman’s rise to the top might have surprised fans, but he has put years into his craft to reach these great heights and achieve success.  Here, we break down the 26-year-old’s game ahead of his first World Title defense at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.  Nicolas uses a simple formula that works well without overcomplicating his offense.   Although he spent most of his earlier years in savate – a French martial art that has a reputation for flashy kicks – “Barboza” took to the professional kickboxing rule set instantly and looks like a veteran only two years later.  The Mahmoudi Gym representative bases his attacks mostly on punches and low kicks, more akin to what is known as the Dutch style.  While he can intersperse other techniques, they are less frequent, which can make them more unexpected and effective when he does try to launch flying knees or spinning kicks.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) Low kicks are one of Nicolas’ most effective weapons which again shows his adaptability from savate in which only the foot is allowed to make contact the Frenchman chops his opponents down with his shins at full power often employing them early and often to lay his foundations This was the case in both of his ONE wins over Magomed Magomedov and Eersel, as his first-round bludgeonings of their lead legs set him off to strong starts. Those strikes can hinder any attempts to close the distance and rack up damage for the later rounds.  As those rivals become more wary of his low kicks, “Barboza” switches up well to the body and occasionally the head, while also bringing in his heavier boxing combinations.   Nicolas throws heavy hands, but his biggest tool is a straight right that he relies upon to do most of the damage.   He’s not a prolific jabber, but he will set up a long right behind it or simply lead with the power hand to the head. It is a concussive strike that has knocked out several opponents and even produced a key knockdown of Eersel.   The power of the punch forces big reactions from his foes, which can then open up Nicolas’ left hooks to the body or head.   It only takes one right hand to change the course of a fight, and “Barboza” knows he always has that in his locker.   Staying long with straight punches and kicks is Nicolas’ wheelhouse, but he’s also comfortable under fire and inside the pocket. If his opponents press, he can stand his ground to counter and won’t be bullied in close.  By planting his feet and swinging hard, the Frenchman poses a dangerous threat that means his adversaries can’t attack with impunity.  When Eersel tried to build up some momentum and press in their first meeting, “Barboza” welcomed him in with a crunching right hand that put him on the canvas.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis NICOLAS (@bvrboza_) but they are fortified by a fighter who truly believes in his ability to win and this will allow him to fight confidently with a belief in his own skill set He was the underdog in his first matchup with Eersel but didn’t let that faze him earning a hard-fought decision over five rounds Now that he’s shown he can defeat “The Immortal” when few expected he could Nicolas will surely enter the rematch with even more conviction in his ability to retain the gold