Alexis Nicolas says he’ll fight with a chip on his shoulder in Regian Eersel redo: “I have to prove myself more”
Despite already being a ONE world champion, Alexis Nicolas feels like he has something to prove this Friday night in Bangkok, Thailand.
Emanating from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium, ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video will feature one of the most anticipated rematches of the year when ONE lightweight kickboxing world titleholder Alexis Nicolas returns to run it back with the man he took his 26 pounds of gold from, Regian Eersel.
In their first meeting, Alexis Nicolas delivered a stunning upset against Eersel who, up to that point, had not been beaten in eight years. Of course, that meant nothing to Nicolas, who went at 'The Immortal' hard for five rounds and saw his hand raised via unanimous decision.
Still, 'Barboza' goes into Friday's loaded lineup with a chip on his shoulder, feeling it necessary to quiet the haters and show the world that his win over Eersel in April was no fluke:
"I want to show the world what I did to become Alexis ‘Barboza’ Nicolas," he told ONE Championship. "But I know it will take time because this fight, the fight before, I have to prove myself more than I did in the previous fight. I know the next fight I will have to prove myself again, and again, and again in all my fights."
Alexis Nicolas expects another barnburner against Regian Eersel at ONE Fight Night 25
With their first fight showing how evenly matched the two kickboxing stars truly are, Alexis Nicolas expects Friday's showdown in the 'Mecca of Muay Thai' to be another crazy close clash that will have fans on the edge of their seat:
"So the next fight is going to be good, because they know it's anybody's game. It's going to be crazy fight, and a lot of hype going into this match."
'Barboza' goes into the bout with a perfect 24-0 record, with two of those wins coming under the ONE Championship banner. Meanwhile, Regian Eersel will look to kickstart another unbeaten campaign after seeing his 22-fight win streak snapped by Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 21 earlier this year.
ONE Fight Night 25 will air live via Amazon Prime Video in the United States and Canada on Friday, Oct. 4 in U.S. primetime.