Success breeds ambition. For Nabil Anane, an undefeated 2025 campaign as ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion has crystallized exactly what he wants next: kickboxing gold to match the Muay Thai belt he already owns.
The 21-year-old Team Mehdi Zatout fighter went perfect last year, defending his title while establishing himself as one of the most technically sound bantamweights on the planet. Now he’s eyeing the kickboxing crown held by Jonathan Haggerty — and he’s not interested in climbing rankings to get there.
Champions shouldn’t have to wait in line. That’s Anane’s position, and after the year he just produced, it’s hard to argue with the logic.
“Next year, I can fight anyone, just for experience. It’s good because I need more experience in kickboxing also. Now I’m not even in the rankings yet, so I can fight anyone. But it makes sense to fight for a [Kickboxing World Title]. I’m a champ, you know, so I think I don’t need to be in the rankings,” he said.
The confidence isn’t arrogance — it’s calculation. Anane understands the value of his Muay Thai credentials and sees the kickboxing division as the natural place to expand his legacy. He’s not avoiding competition or looking for shortcuts. He’s simply asserting that champions in one discipline shouldn’t be treated like prospects in another.
That mindset extends to how he views 2026. There’s no secret formula to replicate last year’s success, just the same grinding work ethic that carried him through 2025. Behind every highlight-reel knockout and dominant decision, there were problems to solve and obstacles to overcome.
“If I can do the same thing as 2025, it would be great. There is no secret to my success. I’ll just continue to work hard and have discipline all the time — that’s it. It’s easy to know how, but it’s hard to do. I’ll just continue working hard,” he said.
“Behind the scenes, behind all the victories, it’s always very hard. There are always some small problems every time. You just have to surpass them, and good things will come after.”
The path forward includes two high-profile matchups that make perfect sense from both competitive and narrative perspectives: Haggerty and Yuki Yoza.
Haggerty represents the ultimate test in both disciplines. The British-Thai champion has proven himself across Muay Thai and kickboxing, capturing titles in both sports with technical mastery that’s earned him legendary status at bantamweight. But Anane sees stylistic opportunities where others see dominance.
“I think it’s just Haggerty left [in Muay Thai]. Let’s see. I also want to see what happens [when I fight Haggerty]. He has good footwork, he has good elbows, and good punches. It really depends on the moment and how the fight goes. Maybe my style matches with his style. Superlek’s style matches with his style and he doesn’t like Superlek’s style. It just really depends on the fighter and how things go in the ring,” he said.
That reference to Superlek is instructive. The Thai superstar gave Haggerty fits with movement, distance management, and timing that disrupted the champion’s rhythm. Anane possesses similar attributes — calculated distance control, technical precision, and the ability to frustrate aggressive opponents by staying just out of range while landing counters.
The Haggerty fight checks every box: championship stakes, stylistic intrigue, and the potential to cement Anane’s place among the division’s elite across both disciplines.
But there’s Yoza, the Japanese contender who’s been vocal about his championship aspirations. Anane’s assessment of Yoza is clinical and dismissive in equal measure. The strength is acknowledged. Everything else? Not so much.
“I don’t know what to say [about Yoza’s performances]. I haven’t seen things that impressed me in his style of fighting. He’s strong, yes, that’s what is impressive,” he said.
“But he hasn’t fought someone like me who is really hard to deal with and keeps distance well. Let’s see if he has a chance. He’s been talking a lot also, and sometimes it annoys me. Let’s see if he can break my leg.”
That last line carries weight. Yoza has built his game around powerful kicks and forward pressure, but Anane’s distance management and technical defense have neutralized aggressive strikers throughout his career. The Japanese contender would need more than strength and volume to crack the champion’s defensive shell.
Both fights represent different challenges. Haggerty brings championship pedigree and proven two-sport dominance. Yoza brings youth, power, and the hunger of someone still chasing their first major title. Either matchup would give fans the kind of bantamweight striking warfare ONE Championship has become known for.
But the bigger picture is clear: Anane isn’t satisfied with one belt. The Muay Thai title was the foundation. Kickboxing gold is the next step. And at 21 years old with an undefeated 2025 campaign already on his resume, time is firmly on his side.
The bantamweight division has been warned. Nabil Anane plans to spend 2026 doing exactly what he did in 2025 — except this time, he’ll be collecting hardware in both disciplines.
