ONE Friday Fights 81 results: Hiroki Akimoto vs. Ilias Ennahachi
The battle between former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Hiroki Akimoto and former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi went down at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday evening as part of the stacked ONE Friday Fights 81 card.
Akimoto put on a stiff test for Ennahachi as he tried to halt his two-fight skid. Meanwhile, Ennahachi wanted to maintain his immaculate record under the world's largest martial arts organization and extend his win streak to five victories.
See the blow-by-blow action from the exciting clash.
Round 1: Akimoto opened with a vicious kick to the head of Ennahachi. The Japanese marched forward and pressed Ennahachi, but he was met with kicks and punches from Ennahachi. Both exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring, with Ennahachi attacking the body while Akimoto targeted the head. Ennahachi played the counter puncher and clipped Akimoto with a solid check left hook that clipped him.
Ennahachi looked comfortable with under a minute into the opening round, and he scored a knockdown with the same thunderous left hook that floored the Japanese star and made his nose bleed. Akimoto was saved by the bell.
Round 2: Akimoto once again tried to pressure Ennahachi, but it didn't deter the latter. Both fighters were more calculated at the start of the second round, but Ennahachi started to let go of his legs with solid kicks to Akimoto's head.
Akimoto stunned Ennahachi with a left kick to the head but managed to stay on his feet. Building confidence in the second half of the round, Akimoto continued to pressure Ennahachi and peppered him with more head kicks. The Japanese ended the round with momentum.
Round 3: Akimoto tried to bully Ennahachi with more kicks and constant pressure, but he was still comfortable being the counter-striker as he let go of some punches to fend him off. Ennahachi landed another clean left hook with one minute remaining in the third round.
With the clock ticking down, Akimoto had more urgency by marching forward, but Ennahachi smartly grabbed him to stop his onslaught and end the match with the feeling of being victorious.
ONE Friday Fights 81 - Hiroki Akimoto vs. Ilias Ennahaci official result
Ilias Ennahachi continued his perfect run in ONE Championship after beating Hiroki Akimoto in their bantamweight kickboxing contest at the ONE Friday Fights 81 card, which took place in front of the Lumpinee Stadium crowd on Friday evening.
It was an entertaining match between the two former world title holders, but it was the Morrocan-Dutch superstar's night, as he landed more significant strikes throughout the three-round battle.
His biggest moment was the knockdown he scored in the opening round with an atomic left hook that sat the Japanese sensation down the mat. It was enough for Ennahachi to bag the win and pick up his fifth victory under the promotion.
Ilias Ennahachi defeated Hiroki Akimoto via unanimous decision in their bantamweight kickboxing match.