ONE Friday Fights 46: Anane impresses on otherwise tough night for MENA athletes

Algeria’s Nabil Anane made it back-to-back wins in ONE Championship with an impressive victory at ONE Friday Fights 46 – on an otherwise disappointing night for MENA fighters. Anane enjoyed a significant reach advantage over Muangthai and used this well early one delivering significant damage to the face of his Thai opponent with accurate lefts and rights. His composure was impressive throughout, even when Muangthai tried to apply pressure a mix of accurate elbows and knees always kept him at bay. After nine minutes of action it was sound defence and accurate striking that handed Anane a unanimous decision win. Elsewhere at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, there were high hopes for MENA fighters in two title fights but neither were able to leave with gold.  Moroccan Italian Jospeh Lasiri started the night as strawweight Muay Thai champion, but was unable to get the better of the man who he beat for the title – Prajanchai. The rematch was a very different affair from their first encounter as the Thai superstar landed a vicious left hand after just 88 seconds of the opening round to end Lasiri’s night, and title reign, early. There was disappointment too for Algeria’s Anissa Meksen. She was unable to claim the ONE interim atomweight Kickboxing crown, after a five-round masterclass from 21-year-old Phetjeeja. Meksen brought the fight but her younger opponent had too much for her, and will now eye a unification bout with champion Janet Todd. Fariyar Aminipour lost his unbeaten record in ONE after suffering a first-round KO at the hands of Kulabdam. The Iranian came to fight and was the aggressor for large parts of the round. It was while on the front foot that Aminipour was dropped with a counter shot, but he recovered his composure well and looked to land heavily on his Thai opponent, that was until a devastating left hook to the body ended the contest with seconds remaining in the opening stanza.     In the night’s main event, Tawanchai showed his class and elite striking ability to get the better of Superbon to retain his featherweight Muay Thai title.