“I can focus on my fight” - Former flyweight kickboxing king Ilias Ennahachi says he’s in a better spot at bantamweight
Former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi of Morocco and The Netherlands is ready to return to the ONE Championship ring this weekend to embark on a new quest for gold.
Ennahachi vacated his flyweight belt last year when he could no longer safely hydrate and make the limit, so he decided to move up a weight class. Now that he's done that, Ennahachi says he feels much stronger.
In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Ennahachi discussed his decision to move to bantamweight and why it has made him a more dangerous fighter.
The 28-year-old S&B Gym representative said:
"I think so. In the flyweight division, I focused more on my weight than on my fights. And now at bantamweight, I’m now 66 kilos [145 pounds]. I don’t need to focus on my weight anymore. Now, I can focus on my fight."
Ennahachi is riding a four-fight winning streak in the world's largest martial arts organization.
Aside from previously reigning the flyweight kickboxing division with an iron fist, the Dutch-Moroccan star owns the distinction as the only man who has been able to defeat two-sport, two-division world champion 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9 in ONE Championship.
Ilias Ennahachi returns to face Hiroki Akimoto at ONE Friday Fights 81
Ilias Ennahachi is making his grand return against a very dangerous foe in fellow former ONE world champion Hiroki Akimoto of Japan.
The two square off in a three-round bantamweight kickboxing contest at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut, which broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, September 27.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live via global pay-per-view on watch.onefc.com. Visit ONE Championship's official website for more information on how you can watch from your location.
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event on fight week.