"France is very proud of me" - Alexis Nicolas proud to carry the torch for France's underrated kickboxing scene

Alexis Nicolas isn't ready to step out of the spotlight anytime soon after what he was able to accomplish last time out.

After securing a win on his debut with ONE Championship, the lightweight contender was given a huge opportunity.

Challenging Regian Eersel for the ONE lightweight kickboxing world championship at ONE Fight Night 21 was a big step up for the 26-year-old.

However, with his French supporters behind him, Nicolas rose to the occasion and was able to dethrone the dominant champion.

He's now looking to continue increasing his own stock so that he can become a leading French star in combat sports.

Ahead of their rematch at ONE Fight Night 25 on Oct. 4 at Lumpinee Stadium, Nicolas spoke in an interview with the South China Morning Post about the work that he needs to do in order to become a household name in his home country:

"Yeah, France is very proud of me. We had Cedric Doumbe, but now he is an MMA fighter. So now I am the ambassador of kickboxing. They're proud, but I have to do more. French people are very hard to gain their respect for us athletes, so I have to fight more and more and become a superstar."

Watch the full interview below:

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Alexis Nicolas knows that he deserves this spot

Alexis Nicolas is out to prove in the rematch that what happened at ONE Fight Night 21 wasn't a shock upset result.

He is confident that this is exactly where he belongs and he certainly proved that in his first encounter with Regian Eersel.

The French striker looked fast and powerful and fought well straight out the gate to leave the defending champion chasing the fight.

We will see how he adapts to being in there with 'The Immortal' for a second time in a career-defining fight for him.

ONE Fight Night 25 will air live in US Primetime free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in North America.