Nabil Anane suggests Superlek needs to go back to flyweight after two tough losses: “That’s not good”

Size matters at the elite level, and reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane believes 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9's recent struggles prove it.

The 21-year-old watched Yuki Yoza systematically dismantle 'The Kicking Machine' via unanimous decision in their bantamweight kickboxing showdown at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.

During his post-fight interview with Nick Atkin of the Bangkok Post on Sunday, November 16, inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena, the towering Team Mehdi Zatout representative made clear that the ONE flyweight kickboxing king's physical disadvantages at bantamweight are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

"Yes, but he was very good in flyweight, you know. He's quite small in bantamweight. He's quite small. He's not, he's not here, you know. We can see, we can see. I think he did only three fights now in bantamweight, if I'm not wrong," Nabil Anane reflected.

"The first fight was against Haggerty, and he won the first round, you know, so we didn't see much. And second fight was against me. We saw three rounds. Against Yoza. We saw three rounds, you know, and he was very good in flyweight. So maybe next fight he should fight in flyweight."

The assessment carried weight coming from someone who defeated Superlek via unanimous decision at ONE 172 in March, scoring the first knockdown in the Thai legend's ONE Championship history.

'The Kicking Machine's' recent struggles at bantamweight reveal a troubling pattern of struggling to impose his will against larger, physically stronger strikers.

Meanwhile, the Thai-Algerian champion successfully made his own featherweight kickboxing debut earlier in the night at ONE 173, dominating promotional newcomer Hiromi Wajima via unanimous decision, proving his striking prowess transcends weight classes when size advantages work in his favor.

Watch Nabil Anane's full post-fight interview with Nick Atkin below:

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Nabil Anane emphasizes importance of weight management discipline

Apart from suggesing that the Thai striking genius should return to flyweight, the ONE world champion delivered his most pointed criticism toward Superlek's approach to weight management between fight camps.

"Don't be so big in off-fight camp, you know. Just train every time. Train all along. Even though you don't have a fight, even though you don't train hard, but keep your good shape if you want. If you're still in the sport, you know, your body is important."

"You need to keep your health very good, you know, and always stay in line, and yes, you know what I mean. Don't let go. Don't be like 76, 77 kilos and fight after in 66 kilos. That's not good," Nabil Anane continued in the same exchange with Atkin.

Combat sports enthusiasts who weren't able to tune in to ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri live can purchase the replay at live.onefc.com.