Six-foot Algerian-Thai phenom Nabil Anane says he has stopped growing taller
Nabil Anane has achieved the unthinkable: defeating the two-time bantamweight Muay Thai world title challenger Felipe Lobo in their match at ONE Fight Night 24.
The young Algerian striker carried a significant height advantage in this fight with Lobo, as his unique build at 6-foot-2 makes him tower over most opponents. Nonetheless, when asked whether he'd be even taller, he told Sportskeeda MMA in an interview after his victory that he would most likely stop growing in size.
Anane said about his growth:
"I think I stopped. Like, one year and a half, I didn't grow. I grow like mass, but not in height."
The 20-year-old had indeed shown massive improvements as part of Mehdi Zatout's team, where he capitalized on his height and length to pummel Lobo with punishing strikes to the head and body ahead of his decision victory.
Check out the full interview below:
Nabil Anane is on a four-fight win streak after ONE Fight Night 24
Algerian-Thai phenom Nabil Anane currently has four wins in a row with ONE Championship after he defeated veteran striker Felipe Lobo at ONE Fight Night 24 last weekend.
His most recent win marked a remarkable comeback since he started with a loss to Thai superstar Superlek Kiatmoo0 in June last year. Nonetheless, he started his rise with a KO victory over another Thai fighter, Nakrob Fairtex, in Sept. 2023.
After that, Anane nabbed a decision over a game opponent in Muangthai PK Saenchai in December, dominating with his superior striking to drop his foe in the third round.
Then, he kicked off 2024 with an explosive second-round TKO of Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai before adding Lobo to his list of victims.
It is certain that Anane will be one of the most promising candidates to run for the divisional belt in the future, but he wants to take time to develop his game further before entering the world championship tilt.