Moroccan kickboxer Ilias Ennahachi is back to face Japanese star Hiroki Akimoto in a highly anticipated bantamweight kickboxing clash at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut on Asia primetime on Friday, September 27. The former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion is looking to make a victorious return against the #2-ranked Japanese star at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Ennahachi is prepared to face his opponent and he is not underestimating him at all. He stated, “He is a good fighter. I respect him and don’t underestimate him. I don’t like trash talks so we’ll see on that day how it’s going to end…”

This match will just be Ennahachi’s second contest in ONE’s bantamweight kickboxing ranks after vacating the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title early last year. He is aiming to continue his undefeated run in the promotion with another victory. Meanwhile, former divisional titleholder Akimoto is coming off twin setbacks and will be hungry to get back in the win column.

Hiroki Akimoto and Ilias Ennahachi are gearing up for war!

The Moroccan star currently holds a 4-0 record in the world’s largest martial arts organization, with two of his wins coming by way of knockout. The 28-year-old is credited to be the only fighter to have defeated Superlek Kiatmoo9 in ONE Championship so far, which is a testament to his skills. After vacating the flyweight kickboxing belt, he moved up to the bantamweight division and continued his dominant ways. At ONE Friday Fights 6 in February last year, he knocked out India’s Aliasghar Ghodratisaraskan in the second round of their encounter. Adding Hiroki Akimoto to his list of conquests will go a long way in his quest for gold in a heavier-weight class.

However, he may need to be at his best against the 31-year-old Japanese star. Akimoto is reeling from back-to-back losses. He dropped the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title to Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE 163 in November 2022, and couldn’t bounce back in his next outing as he lost a heartbreaker against China’s Wei Rui at ONE Fight Night 22 last May. He will definitely be more ravenous than ever to prove that he is among the planet’s best strikers today.

The training preparations for the fightdas

When the Japanese star is at his best, he is a highly technical fighter with a high fight IQ who can defeat his opponents with extreme precision. He has an amazing counter-striking skill which he shares with his Moroccan opponent. It will be interesting to see how the two elite strikers navigate each other’s strengths.

Both the fighters have already started training for the fight, and even keep the fans updated through social media about their preparation. The Netherlands-based Moroccan star uploaded a video of his superfast jabs and boxing skills on Instagram. Meanwhile, Akimoto shared his deadly kicking skills in a picture.

Fans were extremely excited for both the fighters and wrote comments like, “Former champ vs former champ les go.”  One follower wrote on Akimoto’s post saying, “Keep on the grind. Can’t wait for the next bout.” For Enahachi they wrote things like, “ Brother in sha Allah you’ll fight Haggerty, rodtang, and superlek and teach them a lesson.”

Who do you think is going to win this time?