Nabil Anane‘s road back to 26 pounds of gold runs directly through Suakim Pongsuphan PK, and he knows it will not be an easy journey.
Their ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title eliminator matchup headlines The Inner Circle 25, which streams live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, August 7. The spectacular card will be exclusively available to subscribers at live.onefc.com.
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The former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion understands exactly what a win puts within reach, but he is not about to look past the man standing in front of him to get there.
Looking to stun the highly skilled 22-year-old is a former three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, who arrives on the back of seven straight victories — four of them ending in highlight-reel fashion.
Suakim’s relentless, forward-moving style has troubled every one of his opponents throughout that impressive run, and Anane knows underestimating his fellow Thai dynamo would be a monumental mistake.
The Thai-Algerian standout pointed out:
“[Winning is] very important because Boss Chatri [Sityodtong] has already said that whoever wins will face Rambolek. It’s very important for me to go back and get what’s mine.
“But I don’t want to think too far ahead. I just want to focus on what’s right in front of me first. We have to win this first. Because if we slip up here, I might not have another chance.”
“[Winning is] very important because Boss Chatri [Sityodtong] has already said that whoever wins will face Rambolek. It’s very important for me to go back and get what’s mine.
“But I don’t want to think too far ahead. I just want to focus on what’s right in front of me first. We have to win this first. Because if we slip up here, I might not have another chance.”
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That specific mention of Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon carries plenty of weight. The Thai powerhouse dethroned Anane in a grueling five-round battle and snapped his nine-fight unbeaten run, which included statement victories over two ONE World Champions, “The Kicking Machine” Superlek and “King of the North” Nico Carrillo.
Rambolek used his range to frustrate Anane’s clinch game early, then turned his attention to the lead leg with heavy low kicks. In rounds three and four, he floored the Team Mehdi Zatout star with two overhand rights on his way to a comfortable decision win at The Inner Circle 7 this past March.
Rather than dwell on the manner of that defeat, the 22-year-old treats it as a natural part of the sport he has competed in his entire life.
“Winning and losing are normal. When you lose, you just come back. It just wasn’t our day. Win or lose, it’s just [part of the game].
“I don’t really focus on that. But if I get the belt, of course I’ll be happy. That’s just how it is. Everyone knows that.”
“Winning and losing are normal. When you lose, you just come back. It just wasn’t our day. Win or lose, it’s just [part of the game].
“I don’t really focus on that. But if I get the belt, of course I’ll be happy. That’s just how it is. Everyone knows that.”
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Anane is also acutely aware that his dance partner — a seasoned veteran with 156 career victories under his belt — has his sights set on the exact same prize.
Suakim would earn a coveted shot at the golden strap with a win at The Inner Circle 25, adding even more fuel to an already dangerous style built on constant forward pressure.
With that in mind, the Thai-Algerian absolutely refuses to treat this eliminator as a mere formality standing between him and Rambolek.
“I don’t want anyone to think I’m looking past Suakim. I’m not looking past him because he is not an easy opponent. He’s on a winning streak. His confidence is very high. As for me, I just came off a loss. But if I perform well, people will believe in me again.
“It’s going to be a war, for sure. He is definitely going to bring the fight to me, so I have to defend well. In this fight, I’ll just fight my own fight. That’s better.”
“I don’t want anyone to think I’m looking past Suakim. I’m not looking past him because he is not an easy opponent. He’s on a winning streak. His confidence is very high. As for me, I just came off a loss. But if I perform well, people will believe in me again.
“It’s going to be a war, for sure. He is definitely going to bring the fight to me, so I have to defend well. In this fight, I’ll just fight my own fight. That’s better.”
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By committing to fighting his own fight, Nabil Anane intends to lean fully into the tactical traps his unique 6-foot-4 frame has set for opponents throughout his career.
Few fighters in the bantamweight division possess the reach and speed to match his immense size advantage, and that rare combination has turned into a genuine puzzle for even the most decorated names he has faced across nearly 50 fights.
If his game plan unfolds the way he expects against Suakim, the young striker already has his sights locked on another knockout to add to his resume. That said, he knows his opposite number packs similarly dangerous match-ending power.
“In this fight, either he goes down, or I do. One of us is definitely getting finished. I’ll give it my all, for sure.
“He’s also coming in at 100 percent with nothing to lose. I have nothing to lose either. I have to make my comeback. I’ll give it everything. No more talking for this fight; I just can’t wait to step inside the ring and fight.”
“In this fight, either he goes down, or I do. One of us is definitely getting finished. I’ll give it my all, for sure.
“He’s also coming in at 100 percent with nothing to lose. I have nothing to lose either. I have to make my comeback. I’ll give it everything. No more talking for this fight; I just can’t wait to step inside the ring and fight.”
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Believing Suakim carries the tools to finish the fight himself has done nothing to shake Anane’s belief that he still holds the decisive edge once the two lock horns at The Inner Circle 25.
Much of that confidence comes down to simple math. His incredible reach and deceptive speed have seamlessly combined to create angles few fighters in the division have ever managed to crack.
Expanding on that thought, Anane shared:
“Because of my height, there are very few things my opponents can actually do to me. They are the ones who have to adjust their style to fight me because there are only a few ways to beat me.
“I just need to defend well. We’ve been preparing this since my last fight. I’m focused on just getting better. But I’m not saying my defense is 100 percent impenetrable. There will always be a percentage of shots that can get through. It just comes down to whether I can react in time.”
“Because of my height, there are very few things my opponents can actually do to me. They are the ones who have to adjust their style to fight me because there are only a few ways to beat me.
“I just need to defend well. We’ve been preparing this since my last fight. I’m focused on just getting better. But I’m not saying my defense is 100 percent impenetrable. There will always be a percentage of shots that can get through. It just comes down to whether I can react in time.”
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