Regian Eersel says focus is on Muay Thai world title defense next instead of Alexis Nicolas trilogy: “The division is waiting”
After back-to-back bouts against Alexis Nicolas, two-sport ONE world champion Regian Eersel is ready to move on—for now.
In April, 'The Immortal' surrendered the ONE lightweight kickboxing world championship to Nicolas in their inaugural meeting at ONE Fight Night 21. Six months later, the two warriors would run it back inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video.
There, Eersel would even the series and reclaim the kickboxing crown with a solid five-round performance that won him the fight on all three judges' scorecards.
With the series tied at 1-1, rumors immediately began to swirl about a potential trilogy fight between the two. However, Eersel is hoping to move on from the Frenchman for the time being to focus on defending his other belt—the ONE lightweight Muay Thai world championship.
Speaking to Nick Atkin about a rubber match with Nicolas, Eersel said:
"I’m gonna move on first I think in the future, we can do the trilogy, but not right now immediately. Because I also got another belt, and the division is waiting on me."
With Eersel's win over Alexis Nicolas, the biggest question on the minds of fans is, what's next for 'The Immortal'?
The Surinamese sensation has essentially cleared out both divisions, leaving little left for him to accomplish. Still, that won't stop him from continuing to defend both his belts and further establishing his legacy no matter who the promotion digs up for him.
Eersel said:
"I have no names to fight. I fought the whole division. So we will see who ONE brings for me."
One idea Eersel has floated is competing in mixed-rules bouts. ONE Championship has previously dipped its toe into the concept—mostly notably with the critically acclaimed clash between ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and inaugural ONE Hall of Fame inductee Demetrious Johnson at ONE X in March 2022.
If it's not a trilogy fight with Alexis Nicolas, who do you think Eersel should fight next?
If you missed any of the action, ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch the ONE Fight Night 25 replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.