SUMMARY
- Alexis Nicolas defeated Regian Eersel to win the Lightweight Kickboxing title at ONE Fight Night 21.
- Nicolas, who hails from France, has the chance to usher a new era.
Alexis Nicolas caused an almighty upset in the ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video headliner this past weekend, and he can’t wait to share the spoils with his fans back in France. “Barboza” stunned two-sport ONE World Champion Regian Eersel by unanimous decision at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, to become the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion on April 5.
Nicolas’s epic win brought Eersel’s 22-fight win streak to an end, and the 25-year-old told ONE after the fight that he was happy with his night’s work.
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“I’m very proud. I didn’t just win against anyone, I won against Regian Eersel, the legend,” he said. “It’s a very good feeling. I expected the bonus because it was a war between us. For me it was an impressive performance to win the belt. I don’t understand why I didn’t get the bonus, but it doesn’t matter, I’ll get it next time, and next time, and next time.”
Bonus or not, the real spoils await Nicolas when he returns to his homeland.
Alexis Nicolas represents the next generation of French fighters
Alexis Nicolas hopes to inspire a new generation of French youth after his incredible World Title upset over Regian Eersel at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video.
The savate stylist overcame a difficult upbringing in some of Paris’s harshest neighborhoods to reach the pinnacle of kickboxing, and he hopes that his exploits will enable other kids from the same areas to achieve their own greatness.
“This belt is not the real win tonight. My happiness tonight comes from knowing that I made all my fans proud for winning. It’s going to make me happy to bring this belt to my country and to my family,” he said.
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“I do represent Savate but I don’t just represent Savate, I represent all the kids who have dreams and work hard to achieve those dreams. I’m not just a fighter, I’m a man with values and that’s what I represent tonight.”
Nicolas shocked the world by claiming the lightweight kickboxing strap in just his second appearance under the ONE banner, improving his overall professional record to a perfect 24-0.