"I didn't feel the same love" - Lightweight Muay Thai champ Regian Eersel reveals experience training in the grappling arts

Regian Eersel has been a dominant striker for a long time now under the ONE Championship banner. The lightweight Muay Thai king was able to dominate both the kickboxing and Muay Thai divisions until his shock loss last time out.

At ONE Fight Night 25 on Oct. 4, he is out to get revenge against Alexis Nicolas so that he can recapture his kickboxing belt.

Though 'The Immortal' will always be known for his striking career, there was a time when he dabbled in some jiu-jitsu. Eersel found new ways to keep himself busy during the pandemic but ultimately, these new pursuits didn't last.

In a recent interview with MMA UK, he explained why he decided to drop grappling despite enjoying his time in the sport:

"I didn't feel the love for stand-up fighting as for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, like ground fighting. I still love to train it though.

"But after the world went back to life, after the lockdown and stuff like that, I just quit because there was no time in my normal schedule to train it. My main focus is purely kickboxing and Muay Thai. But I did train it so I could defend myself a little bit."

Watch the full interview below:

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Regian Eersel is too focused on staying at the top

Some other competitors may have found themselves falling for this new passion but not someone like Regian Eersel.

The elite striker is far too focused on being the absolute best that he can be in kickboxing and Muay Thai to let something distract him.

He now has his sights set on Lumpinee Stadium where he will rematch Nicolas in the main event of the evening.

Only one man can leave with the lightweight kickboxing title and Eersel will be hoping that it is revenge over repeat on October 4.

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