The bantamweight Muay Thai throne now belongs to Nabil Anane. ONE Championship officially elevated the Thai-Algerian phenom from interim champion to undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion during ONE Friday Fights 114 on June 27. Anane has already established himself as one of the sport’s most imposing and dominant forces.
Nabil Anane Now Permanent Champ in Bantamweight Muay Thai in ONE
The Team Mehdi Zatout product’s path to gold wasn’t without obstacles. Despite arriving in ONE as the youngest-ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion, Nabil Anane suffered a setback in his promotional debut against pound-for-pound king Superlek Kiatmoo9. The loss served as motivation rather than discouragement for the towering striker, who returned more dangerous than ever.
BREAKING 👑 Nabil Anane has been elevated to undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion! Who should challenge the towering Algerian-Thai phenom first?#ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/eOQTMs3CmE
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) June 27, 2025
Nabil Anane’s response was nothing short of spectacular, as he steamrolled through six consecutive opponents with his devastating arsenal. His crushing knee strikes, punishing clinch work, and precise long-range combinations left elite strikers searching for answers. The streak culminated with a highlight-reel knockout of Scottish destroyer Nico Carrillo at ONE 170 in January, earning him interim gold.
Nabil Anane Comes Full-Circle in ONE 172 Last March
The ONE 172 bout with Superlek in March showcased Nabil Anane’s evolution as a complete fighter. He dominated the Thai superstar across three rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory at the Saitama Super Arena. While Superlek’s weight miss stripped him of the title and rendered the bout non-title, Anane’s performance proved he belonged at the division’s summit.
Who’s Next for Nabil Anane?
Now as the undisputed champion, Nabil Anane wears the target firmly on his back and has an exciting array of potential matchups. A trilogy bout with top-ranked Superlek looms large, while crossover opportunities with ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty could provide compelling two-sport storylines. The young champion’s reign promises to be filled with high-stakes battles against the world’s most skilled and dangerous contenders.
