“He's like my big brother” - Nabil Anane praises mentor Mehdi Zatout for shaping him as a fighter

Nabil Anane credits Algerian Muay Thai legend Mehdi Zatout for honing him as a fighter. He said he has learned a lot since 'Diamond Heart' took him under his wing at a young age.

The 20-year-old fighter opened up about what what Zatout has meant to him in an interview with Sportskeeda MMA following his latest victory at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video on Aug. 2 in Thailand.

He highlighted how the former ISKA and WBC world champion has served as a mentor for him both in and out of competition:

"Mehdi, he's like my big brother. He was with me since I was very, very, very young, always behind me, always supported me. You can see my old videos. I was smaller than him, but now I'm like, two times taller than him. Yeah, he was with me since I was like, baby, so every time behind me. Thanks a lot my big bro, Mehdi Zatout."

Check out what he had to say below:

Nabil Anane showcased once again his steady development as a member of Team Medi Zatout at ONE Fight Night 24, where he was a unanimous decision winner over two-time bantamweight Muay Thai world title challenger Felipe Lobo of Brazil.

The Algerian-Thai fighter capitalized on his height and length advantage to the hilt, pummeling Lobo with punishing strikes to the head and body, which turned out to be crucial in securing the decision victory in their three-rounder.

The win further solidified Anane's standing as an emerging force in the bantamweight Muay Thai division, currently ruled by world champion Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom.

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Nabil Anane now a winner of four straight following victory at ONE Fight Night 24

Teen phenom Nabil Anane has now won four straight in ONE Championship following his impressive decision win over veteran Felipe Lobo at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video on Aug. 2 in Thailand.

It sustained his solid turnaround after opening his ONE journey with a loss to Thai superstar Superlek Kiatmoo9 in June last year.

Anane kicked off his ONE ascent in September 2023 when he knocked out Thai Nakrob Fairtex in the second round. He then finished last year with a unaninous decision win over 'Elbow Zombie' Muangthai PK Saenchai in December, where he dominated with his superior striking, even dropping the veteran fighter in the third round to fortify his decision victory.

He started 2024 with an explosive second-round KO of hard-hitting Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai back in February before adding Lobo to his list of conquered foes.

Nabil Anane hopes to vie for the world title at some point but admitted he is in no rush, preferring to develop his game further before going for the championship belt.