“Age Is Just a Number” – Nieky Holzken Intends to Silence Critics After Revamping His Winning Streak at ONE Fight Night 11

Dutch kickboxing legend Nieky “The Natural” Holzken is looking to kick start his quest to add more hardware to his collection of World Titles. “The Natural” is set to face hard-hitting German ace Arian “Game Over” Sadikovic in a lightweight kickboxing battle at ONE Fight Night 11 on Prime Video: Eersel vs. Menshikov on Friday, June 9, inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Holzken ventured to Muay Thai in his previous two outings in ONE, but he returns to his element for his upcoming fight and is seeking an opportunity to compete for the division’s top prize.

Nieky Holzken trained and wanted to fight as if he was still 25

While his relatively advanced age may lead some to question his ability to compete for a World Title, Holzken believes it won’t be a factor for him on June 9. “For me, age is just a number. I don’t feel 39. I don’t train like I’m 39. I train like I did when I was 25. I only have to keep in mind that I have to recover more, eat more, and rest,” he said in an interview with ONE Championship.

“I’m going to win, and people are going to see that I don’t fight like somebody who’s 39.” Owning multiple World Titles in kickboxing from across the globe, the Helmond native has proven that he is one of the best in the world.

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After going 10 rounds and falling short twice against ONE Lightweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel in 2019, he quickly bounced back by making short work of Aussie striker Elliot Compton in December 2020. He then went on to prevent John Wayne Parr from claiming his 100th win by knocking out the Australian legend in the second round of their matchup at ONE on TNT III in April 2021.

Nieky Holzken intended to expand his legacy by getting back to winning books

Unfortunately, Holzken’s streak was snapped when he took on a late replacement in Sinsamut Klinmee under Muay Thai rules at ONE X in March 2022. But with his return to kickboxing impending, the Dutch striking superstar remains confident of his chances to return to winning form.

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His upcoming foe, Sadikovic, will be a threat as he seeks to redeem himself after a failed challenge for Eersel’s kickboxing crown in April last year, but “The Natural’s” motives are pure – and he’s not about to let anything or anyone stop him from achieving his goal of getting back to the top. 

“I don’t come for money fights. I come for my legacy and to win,” Holzken said. “I know I have a good name in the kickboxing world, but I want to be champion again. I want to stop when I’m champion. That’s my goal. And I’ll do everything to get there.”