Regian “The Immortal” Eersel has been an unstoppable pressure in ONE’s light-weight hanging divisions, however a brand new contender is able to strive his luck in opposition to the Surinamese famous person this Friday, April 5.
Following a stable promotional debut, Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas will problem Eersel for the ONE Light-weight Kickboxing World Title stay in U.S. primetime in the principle occasion of ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video.
With an unbeaten 23-0 document, the French phenom will enter with loads of momentum, however how will his abilities fare in opposition to Eersel, who hasn’t misplaced in eight years whereas dealing with top-flight competitors?
Listed here are the largest keys to victory for each fighters forward of their mammoth conflict for the gold at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
#1 Eersel’s Quantity Placing
With a 10-0 document in ONE that features eight World Title victories in each the kickboxing and Muay Thai ranks, Eersel is aware of tips on how to flip it on beneath the intense lights.
Within the reverse nook, Nicolas is dealing with by far the largest match of his life, so there’s an opportunity he may want a while to regular the ship. “The Immortal” can capitalize on this by instantly happening the offensive along with his high-volume output.
The 31-year-old titleholder is famend for shifting ahead and opening up with punishing salvos, although he can typically take his time to learn his opponent in spherical one.
If Eersel comes out quick and unleashes his punches, kicks, and knees from the opening bell, Nicolas ought to wrestle to get any foothold within the contest.
At that time, it could be tough for the challenger to show the tide – particularly with “The Immortal’s” record-breaking offense that features essentially the most vital strikes landed in a single ONE match (in opposition to Nieky Holzken in 2019).
#2 Nicolas’ Low Kicks
Nicolas must stem the move earlier than Eersel builds up steam, and his low kicks may assist try this.
The reigning king likes to step ahead with lengthy mixtures and punctuate them with kicks and knees, but when “Barboza” can disrupt these combos, he may throw Eersel off his recreation.
The 25-year-old challenger works loads of inside low kicks from his left leg that may pressure missteps and off-balance an opponent. Doing this to “The Immortal” would decelerate the assaults and open up extra possibilities to counter.
Nicolas additionally has highly effective exterior low kicks off the correct facet. When Eersel walks ahead to throw punches, he has to load his weight by means of his lead leg, limiting his capacity to verify.
So, if the ISKA Kickboxing World Champion can time his strikes accurately, he may accumulate injury on the titleholder’s lead leg whereas warning him off lunging in too usually.
#3 Eersel’s Conditioning
One factor Eersel has proven in his lengthy World Championship reign is his capacity to develop right into a match and undergo the gears.
It’s laborious for anybody to maintain up along with his tempo, and it might be much more tough for a rising star who has by no means been pushed by such a relentless athlete.
Nicolas confirmed some indicators of fatigue in his three-round debut in opposition to Magomed Magomedov, whereas “The Immortal” can hold dialing up the stress into the championship rounds.
The reigning king completed Sinsamut Klinmee in spherical 4 of their rematch for the ONE Light-weight Muay Thai World Title and has received six grueling five-round World Title selections.
If he sees Nicolas begin to flag, Eersel will take benefit and look to place him away, figuring out he all the time has the fuel within the tank to maintain pushing.
#4 Nicolas’ Proper Hand
It’s laborious to think about Nicolas beating Eersel by way of choice, however he has a piston of a proper hand that might be his ticket to a knockout blow.
Though Eersel is extraordinarily sturdy with a superb chin, he will be caught, and “Barboza” has proven fight-ending capacity along with his punches.
The Frenchman throws his proper hand behind his jab or left hook, however he’s completely happy to guide with it. He additionally doubles up with the facility punch if he catches an opponent with the primary one – after which uncorks a left hand to the top or physique in the event that they focus an excessive amount of on blocking their left facet.
Nicolas timed an overhand when Magomedov tried a leaping knee of their ONE Friday Fights battle, and if he can discover his timing in opposition to Eersel’s signature transfer, that might result in the cash shot.
