“I feel very strong” - Former flyweight king Ilias Ennahachi says bantamweight is the perfect weight class for him
Former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi has found the transition to fighting in bantamweight rather seamless. He proved that once against as he won his second straight match in the 145-pound division last week,
The Moroccan-Dutch fighter outgunned former bantamweight kickboxing champion Hiroki Akimoto of Japan in their featured showdown at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut on Sept. 27 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The two former champions engaged in a spirited back-and-forth and had their share of bright moments in the scheduled three-rounder. In the end, though, it was Ilias Ennahachi's hand that was raised in triumph.
It was his second straight win at bantamweight after his debut in the division in February 2023, which came on the heels of him vacating the flyweight kickboxing title for failure to make the weight limit when hydrated.
During the post-event interviews for ONE Friday Fights 81, Ennahachi spoke about his transition from fighting at flyweight to bantamweight, saying:
"I feel very strong, I make more pressure. Now I have the condition to fight because I don't focus on my weight for the flyweight. I can now focus on the fights as a bantamweight. I can focus on my fights, so I can make good fights."
The win at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut kept Ilias Ennahachi's undefeated record in ONE Championship at 5-0.
Ilias Ennahachi grateful to be given another chance to fight in ONE Championship
Ilias Ennahachi made his return to ONE Championship action after 19 months at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Sept. 27. He was just happy that he was given the opportunity to compete again in the "Home of Martial Arts."
Prior to his match last week against Hiroki Akimoto, the 28-year-old S&B Gym standout was last in action in the promotion in February last year when he defeated Aliasghar Ghodratisaraskan by knockout in the second round. The win was his first in bantamweight after vacating the flyweight kickboxing world title.
In the lead-up to ONE Friday Fights 81, Ilias Ennahachi spoke about his comeback fight in ONE, telling the South China Morning Post:
"No problem. I'm going to fight for these credits again, and I appreciate that ONE Championship gave me the chance again and I appreciate [ONE Chairman and CEO] Chatri [Sityodtong] for giving me this opportunity again. I want to show everyone that this guy from Morocco deserves all these credits as well."
Watch the interview below:
Ennahachi made his ONE debut in 2019 and instantly dominated the flyweight kickboxing division, something he is looking to duplicate now in the bantamweight class.