"It will be a fast and powerful fight" - Hiroki Akimoto expects non-stop action against fellow former champ Ilias Ennahachi

Hiroki Akimoto returns at ONE Friday Fights 81 in search of his first win since making his return to competition several months ago. The former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion had been out of action since he lost his title in 2022.

Even that fight against Petchtanong Petchfergus was a split decision defeat, and Akimoto's return was another closely contested affair.

He narrowly lost to Wei Rui at ONE Fight Night 22 in an encounter that many had the Japanese star winning.

It wasn't meant to be, but he has the chance to put himself right back into the title picture on September 27. On this occasion, it's his time to welcome back a former champion.

Ilias Ennahachi never lost his flyweight belt before departing the promotion, only to return for one fight last year before taking more time away.

In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Akimoto spoke about what he expects from this huge meeting of former champs:

"It's a very important match to becoming champion again. He's really good and I think it will be a fast and powerful fight - so please look forward to it."

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Hiroki Akimoto is focused on making it back to the top

Hiroki Akimoto and Ilias Ennahachi have both proven that they have the ability to become world champions.

The title is currently held by Jonathan Haggerty, who is currently occupied with defending his Muay Thai title in the main event of ONE 168.

This opens up the opportunity for one true contender to emerge in the meantime, and despite Akimoto losing his return fight in a controversial fashion, some may add, this is exactly the kind of fight he needs to put his last defeat behind him.

Beating Ennahachi is all the proof he needs to prove that he's still one of the top guys in this weight class.

ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live via Asian Primetime via PPV at watch.onefc.com