“It's true for me” - Alexis Nicolas fires back at Regian Eersel, says he’s a real champion

Alexis Nicolas wants to make a strong statement when he faces former two-sport world champion Regian Eersel once more to headline ONE Fight Night 25 on October 4.

Previously, both stars traded comments about how Nicolas took the ONE lightweight kickboxing belt from Eersel's hands, and how the latter thinks that his rival was not a 'true champion'.

However, the Frenchman fired back at his rival ahead of their world title rematch inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Nicolas then went out to say what it means to be the 'real champion', and how he's going to prove himself as one:

"It's 100% true for me and my manager. You are the champ only the night when you become the champ. After that, you have to go on to continue to work on and to show who you are and to defend your belts."

He added:

"It's true for me. I have to defend my belt."

With this determination, it would be interesting to see whether Nicolas can maintain his status as the division's top dog or whether Eersel can take back what was his.

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Alexis Nicolas full of confidence ahead of crucial rematch at ONE Fight Night 25

Not only Alexis Nicolas learned about how to handle Regian Eersel in their first encounter, he also know what it takes to become a superstar on his own right.

And that was not all talk. He believes that his first fight with 'The Immortal' had become an eye opening experience for him and his team.

In the same interview with ONE, Alexis Nicolas said:

"Eersel was an example for me and now I'm very confident in the fight. Now I know who I am. I know what I can do and I know how I feel when I fight him. He felt my power, he felt how fast I am, how I punch -- now we know."

ONE Fight Night 25 will air live in U.S. primetime, and North American fans can watch for free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.