"I was the better man" - Alexis Nicolas says there was no controversy when he ousted Regian Eersel from the lightweight throne

Kickboxing superstar Alexis Nicolas is still surprised to hear that there was some controversy behind his upset victory over Regian Eersel at ONE Fight Night 21. Although he gave Regian Eersel credit for making it a close fight, Nicolas stands by his belief.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, the newly-crowned champion argued that he earned the ONE lightweight kickboxing world title, fair and square:

"Yeah, that's why I'm still hungry for this rematch. It's just one point, but his one point was because I punched him hard and he fell down. If he didn't fall down, maybe he could have won, but I was the better man that day."

Alexis Nicolas scored big time when he dropped the former champion with a right hook in the second round. Eersel got back to his feet but was still a bit shaky from the impact, which is probably why the judges scored in Nicolas' favor.

With that said, Nicolas is, therefore, eager to see this "controversy" resolved with a definitive finish at ONE Fight Night 25 on Oct. 4 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

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

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Defeating Regian Eersel has given Alexis Nicolas the confidence he needs to be a long-reigning world champion

Alexis Nicolas believes he has the skills and confidence to become a long-reigning kickboxing world champion.

As Nicolas said in a post-ONE Fight Night 21 interview, Regian Eersel was the most intimidating champion in the division. The fact that he was able to dethrone the inaugural champion, makes everyone else in the division look less dangerous.

Speaking to Sportskeeda, Nicolas said:

"The other opponents are very strong, but not at the level to Eersel. Eersel beat all of these names, and I beat Eersel. That [doesn't] mean nothing, but that makes me very confident to stay the king of this division."