ONE Championship‘s lightweight king will return on Friday, April 22, when Regian Eersel defends the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship against Arian Sadikovic.
The Surinamese striker has been unbeaten in the past six years and has a perfect 5-0 in ONE Super Series action. “The Immortal” has hit his stride and is a dominant force as the division’s champion.
Part of his success is not taking his opposition lightly. Although he enters the Circle supremely confident each time, Eersel understands his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Sadikovic is no different.
“I know he’s a little bit smaller than me. The boxer put pressure on his opponents. Yes, he has a good aggressive style,” said Eersel.
“He has a lot of holes in his style. I think I’m going to use it.”
“It’s not that he’s not good at some kind of points. But he is like, when you put pressure on the opponent, you also open yourself up, you know. And I think I’m going to use it to my advantage.”
The 29-year-old is humble outside the Circle but is fearless inside when the door locks behind him.
His aggressive style has broken all the foes set before him to date, and Eersel credits his mind for his success.
“My strengths are, I think, my knees. Also, my intelligence. While I’m fighting, you know, I can adapt to my opponent. So I think that’s my strength and my aggressiveness,” said the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion.
“The switch is difficult. I have, like, almost another person inside me. This is full of aggression, you know? And it comes out in the ring. When I’m there, I’m just in kill mode. And you just do what you have been taught in the training.”
Eersel is not concerned with adulation from anybody. He knows his performances will speak for itself, and the notoriety will come. His plan is to stay at lightweight, defend his gold, and build a lasting legacy that cannot be ignored.
And Sadikovic is next on his list.
He is planning a knockout showcase in defense of his title to ensure his name will not be forgotten.
“It’s been a long time for me. Think it’s now three years, four years that I’ve been without a knockout. So this time, I want [a win] by knockout,” said Eersel.
“I’ll do it easy in the third round.”
ONE: Eersel vs. Sadikovic will air live on Friday, April 22, beginning at 4:30 a.m. ET/1:30 a.m. PT on watch.onefc.com.
