WATCH: Ilias Ennahachi starts his redemption arc in high-profiel matchup against fellow former champ Hiroki Akimoto in Bangkok
Former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi will fight former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Hiroki Akimoto at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Friday, September 27, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
ONE Championship posted a video on Instagram detailing how vital the upcoming fight is for the 28-year-old with the following caption:
"Ilias Ennahachi is BACK 🤯 How will the former flyweight kickboxing king fare against former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Hiroki Akimoto this week at ONE Friday Fights 81?🥊 @iliasennahachi"
In his promotional debut, Ennahachi dethroned inaugural ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Petchdam Petchyindee in August 2019 by knockout and successfully defended it in November that same year against Wang Wenfeng.
The Moroccan-Dutch star's second defense of the 135-pound kickboxing crown in February 2021 featured a unanimous decision win over Thai megastar Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Ahead of their rematch at ONE Fight Night 6 in January 2023, Ennahachi struggled to make the 135-pound weight limit and ultimately vacated the throne. Superlek defeated Daniel Puertas to claim the ONE flyweight kickboxing world championship at the event.
Ennahachi then announced his move to the bantamweight kickboxing division with a highlight-reel knockout of Aliasghar Ghodratisaraskan in February 2023.
Ilias Ennahachi outlines his approach to Hiroki Akimoto showdown
Ilias Ennahachi plans to rely on his speed to defeat Hiroki Akimoto at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Friday, September 27, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Speaking with the South China Morning Post, Ennahachi stated:
"When you box with me, I can kick, when you kick, I can box. I'm too fast for these guys, even at bantamweight. I'm too fast. I move a lot, but I also put pressure [on my opponents], so it's going to be a hard fight, but a great fight."
Watch the entire interview here:
ONE Friday Fights 81 is available live at Asian primetime on pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.