Regian Eersel says comeback story in rematch with Alexis Nicolas is significant: “It only makes my legacy bigger”

Former ONE lightweight kickboxing world champion Regian Eersel sees a great opportunity to further enhance his legacy as a fighter in his scheduled rematch with current divisional king Alexis Nicolas this week in Thailand.

'The Immortal', who is the reigning lightweight Muay Thai king, seeks to reclaim the division's kickboxing belt and return as a two-sport world champion when he battles 'Barboza' at ONE Fight Night 25 on Oct. 4.

It is the headlining contest of the event happening at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and airing live and for free to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Speaking to ONE Championship ahead of his marquee title showdown against Nicolas, Surinamese-Dutch fighter Eersel highlighted the significance of coming back with a victory and how the defeat last time around is serving further motivation for him entering the rematch.

The 31-year-old Sityodtong Amsterdam standout said:

"This exhibition motivates me a lot for my next fight. If I win this, it only makes my legacy bigger and bigger. And that's the motivation that I need. It started a fire inside of me for October 5."

Regian Eersel lost the ONE lightweight kickboxing gold to Nicolas by unanimous decision back in April. He admitted that the Frenchman came in with a formidable game plan in the first meeting, which he fell short of matching.

It something he is now looking to redeem himself from when they lock horns once again at ONE Fight Night 25.

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Regian Eersel shooting for a $50,000 performance bonus at ONE Fight Night 25

Regian Eersel is looking to dish out an impressive performance worthy of a $50,000 incentive in his scheduled match at ONE Fight Night 25 on Oct. 4 in Bangkok, Thailand.

He made this known in an interview with MMA UK ahead of his marquee title rematch against ONE lightweight kickboxing king Alexis Nicolas, relaying that the hefty performance bonus handed out by ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong provides added motivation for him in his upcoming fight.

Regian Eersel said:

"Yes, yeah. It's ONE Championship. It's the only kickboxing organization, like mixed martial arts organization, that gives the KO bonuses, you know, and then like 30-40, I think every fighter on that card, you know. So it's definitely a motivation also for all the fighters."

Watch the interview below:

Eersel is no longer a stranger to ONE performance bonuses, having been rewarded one on three occasions previously, the most recent in June last year with his 46-second KO of Russian Dmitry Menshikov to retain the ONE lightweight Muay Thai world title.