MMA
Ilias Ennahachi: ‘I Have Trained Three Times A Day’ For Superlek's World Title Challenge
ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias “Tweety” Ennahachi will soon defend his belt against a crafty kicker with a superb fight IQ to match.
Ennahachi will face “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE: FISTS OF FURY this Friday, 26 February, and the reigning king plans to one-up his foe by falling back on his Dutch style of striking.
“I have seen one of Superlek’s fights. He’s a good fighter — ONE Championship only has good fighters,” Ennahachi said.
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“But I am not focused on him. I focus on myself. On the day of the fight, then you can see if my opponent is a very good fighter or not.
“Every person has a weakness, but I fight my game. I have my style, and when I fight, then I can switch my style.”
Ennahachi will also have plenty of weapons to choose from at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Dutch-Moroccan striker has already proven that he owns the punches to accompany his kicks and the cardio to match his output – elements that he believes make him the more well-rounded fighter.
“I think in Dutch kickboxing, we are more complete,” he said.
“I think the Muay Thai fighters are more focused on the kicks, but we are complete with kicks, knees, and punches. When the Thai fighters go to fight kickboxing, they must punch again.”
Resorting to boxing might be a challenge for the man known as “The Kicking Machine,” but the Thai has already proven his worth in ONE Super Series. Superlek has gone 4-0 in the promotion and won his sole kickboxing match in dominant form.
Still, Ennahachi still feels he has the skills to outsmart his upcoming opponent.
“I think my style is a little bit [like] a karate fighter. I like to move a lot, but I can also go forward and fight,” he said.
“I have boxing, I don’t have to only fight with kicks, but I think the difference is I fight with my head. I think a lot in my fights.”
If all goes well for Ennahachi, a win on Friday night would not only further his kickboxing legacy – it would also prove to the world why he belongs at the top.
“You can show the people you are the real champion when you stay the champion, defend [the title], and remain at the top,” Ennahachi said.
“Every time I fight for the title and defend it, I can show the people that I’m still number one.”
It’s clear that “Tweety” is fully focused on defeating all-comers at flyweight. And in order to bring his absolute best on Friday night, he’s put in extra work to prepare.
“I have trained hard for this, three times every day, and I see myself going back to my country, my family, and my team with the belt,” he said.
“Superlek is a very important fight for me. Every fight is very important, so I can stay number one and see what is next for me.
“A lot of fighters want to fight with me because I am the champion. It’s normal. If [ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion] Rodtang wants to fight with me, let’s fight. He is beatable, but I am ready for any fighter ONE Championship gives to me.”
Catch all the action live from ONE: FISTS OF FURY this Friday, 26 February, on meWATCH or the ONE Super App at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT).
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