24 striking stars participate in ONE Championship’s star-studded event ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs Nattawut on Friday, September 27.
Three Algerians, a Moroccan, and an Iranian will feature in the huge event which kicks off at 3:30 PM Mecca and is broadcast live via beIN SPORTS.
Here are the details of the ONE Friday Fights 81 matchups in which the five MENA stars will participate.
1. Nabil Anane
Nabil Anane is looking to score his fifth victory in a row against Soe Lin Oo, a 32-year-old veteran from Myanmar with an impressive 74-3 overall record.
Although Anane faces a huge test, the in-form surging star has every right to be confident.
After a debut loss to two-sport champion Superlek, the 20-year-old Algerian has picked up impressive wins against Thai trio Nakrob Fairtex, Muangthai PK Saenchai, and Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai before defeating former world title challenger Felipe Lobo in his most recent fight.
2. Youcef Esaad
Anane’s compatriot Youcef Esaad makes his debut at ONE Championship’s weekly fight series. The 22-year-old holds an overall record of 10-2 and faces fellow promotional newcomer Hyu Iwata in a flyweight kickboxing tilt.
3. Akram Hamidi
Another Algerian featuring on the card is Akram Hamidi who has already put solid performances and shown martial arts fans his unique set of skills.
The 25-year-old Algerian holds a 50-5 overall record with two wins from three fights at ONE. His only loss came at the hands of two-sport champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai.
Hamidi’s opponent is the veteran former world champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, who also wants to put a defeat at the hands of Prajanchai behind him.
4. Ilias Ennahachi
Morocco’s Ilias Ennahachi makes his return to ONE Championship in a pivotal bantamweight kickboxing clash against second-ranked Hiroki Akimoto.
Ennahachi, who is the only fighter who defeated two-sport champion Superlek Kiatmoo, owns a 4-0 ONE record with his most recent win coming via knockout in his first fight at bantamweight.
On the other hand, Akimoto wants to cement his place as a top divisional contender by putting his two back-to-back losses behind him and beating a former world champion.
5. Mohammad Siasarani
Mohammad Siasarani has picked up four straight wins since making his debut in ONE Friday Fights in January 2023. The 22-year-old Iranian most recently defeated experienced Thai fighter Sittichai Sitsongpeenong and owns an impressive win against Moroccan kickboxing star Mohammed Boutasaa.
Siasarani returns for a featherweight Muay Thai contest at ONE Friday Fights 81 against Shadow Singha Mawynn, who has impressed in his last two outings, picking up consecutive victories after a debut loss.