Nabil Anane Vs. Ilias Ennahachi: 4 Keys To Victory In ONE Friday Fights 126 Main Event

The main event of ONE Friday Fights 126 could crown the next potential challenger for Jonathan “The General” Haggerty‘s bantamweight kickboxing throne, as ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane collides with former three-time ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi.

This Friday, September 26, in Bangkok, Thailand, two of the sport’s most technical strikers will settle their rivalry in what promises to be a tactical masterpiece.

Anane enters the bout riding a seven-fight winning streak that includes his spectacular first-round demolition of Nico “King of the North” Carrillo to capture Muay Thai gold, plus his recent decision victory over two-division legend Superlek “The Kicking Machine”. The towering Algerian-Thai seeks to become a two-sport World Champion by making a run at the kickboxing gold.

Ennahachi returns after an extended layoff, looking to reclaim his position atop the bantamweight kickboxing hierarchy. The Moroccan-Dutch technician brings an 11-fight winning streak and the experience of three successful ONE World Title defenses at flyweight.

These are each fighter’s biggest keys to victory at ONE Friday Fights 126.

#1 Anane’s Reach Advantage

The 6-foot-4 towering ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion must establish his physical dominance early by utilizing his significant size advantages.

Anane possesses a considerable height and reach edge that allows him to control the striking exchanges from the outside. His ability to keep Ennahachi at the end of his punches and kicks while remaining outside the former flyweight king’s optimal range will be crucial. The Algerian-Thai can use his long jab to establish distance and set up his straight knees, which have proven devastating throughout his ONE career.

Anane’s push kick game becomes particularly dangerous when he can keep fights at his preferred range. His height allows him to drive powerful teeps to the body and head that can knock opponents off balance while scoring points. These kicks also serve as an excellent setup for his signature straight knees, which he can drive through the guard of shorter opponents who try to pressure forward.

#2 Ennahachi’s Lateral Movement

The former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion must utilize his superior footwork and ring generalship to neutralize Anane’s devastating knee-heavy attack.

Ennahachi thrives when he can control distance through constant lateral movement and intelligent positioning. His ability to slide along the ropes while staying light on his feet will allow him to avoid getting trapped in extended exchanges where Anane’s reach and knee game could become overwhelming factors. The Moroccan-Dutch striker can circle away from Anane’s power side and create angles for his signature counter-strikes.

This movement-based approach also sets up Ennahachi’s most dangerous weapons. When opponents chase him aggressively, he can time their forward pressure with check hooks and counter combinations. His best finishes come when he draws opponents into over-committing, then explodes with perfectly timed head kicks or combinations while they’re extended and vulnerable.

#3 Anane’s Forward Pressure

The reigning Muay Thai king must impose his will through relentless forward pressure and clinch engagements.

Anane’s muay khao background gives him the tools to break down technical strikers who prefer to fight on the outside. His ability to march forward behind a high guard while looking for opportunities to land straight knees can disrupt Ennahachi’s rhythm and force uncomfortable exchanges. In fact, Anane thrives when he can make fights ugly and physical.

Once the Team Mehdi Zatout standout can close the distance, his height and knee game become overwhelming factors. His straight knees through the guard have pummeled elite opponents throughout his ONE career, and his ability to use his frame to lean on smaller opponents while working from close range can drain their energy and open up finishing opportunities. Anane must turn this fight into a grinding, physical battle where his size advantages become decisive factors.

#4 Ennahachi’s Counter-Striking

Ennahachi must time Anane’s aggressive moments with precise counter combinations to turn the tide.

He has built his career on making opponents pay for their offensive commitments. His left hook counter has proven to be one of the most reliable weapons in kickboxing, consistently finding a home against aggressive strikers. When Anane drives forward with his knee attacks or commits to his push kick-heavy game plan, Ennahachi can slip to the side and counter with devastating accuracy.

The veteran striker’s ability to fake and draw reactions also creates tremendous counter-striking opportunities. He can feint kicks or punches to make Anane react, then capitalize on the opening with explosive combinations. His timing on check hooks is particularly dangerous against tall fighters who get drawn into chasing him around the ring, as he can pivot off their pressure and land clean power shots.