"Superlek is stronger now" - Ilias Ennahachi looking forward to reigniting his rivalry with Superlek at bantamweight

Ilias Ennahachi takes great pride in being the last man to get the better of the great Superlek Kiatmoo9 in combat.

While the former flyweight kickboxing world champion is confident that he'll have 'The Kicking Machine's' number when they share the ring again, he also acknowledged the massive strives he made over the years.

The Morrocan slugger told the South China Morning Post in a recent interview:

"Superlek is stronger now, and I’m very happy that he’s also fighting at bantamweight now."

Since losing to Ennahaci at ONE: Fists of Fury back in 2021, Superlek has gone on an absurd 11-fight winning streak and claimed the flyweight kickboxing and bantamweight Muay Thai world titles.

With Ennahachi also moving up to the 145-pound division, he expects to meet his old rival anew somewhere down the line.

But before setting himself up with another date with the Thai megastar, Ennahachi's first order of business is to prove himself against former bantamweight kickboxing world champion Hiroki Akimoto.

This high-stakes firefight between two proven tacticians will take place in the stacked ONE Friday Fights 81 mega event on Sept. 27 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live in Asian primetime via watch.onefc.com

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Ilias Ennahachi believes he also improved since last meeting with Superlek

While Superlek has taken all the headlines in recent years, Ilias Ennahachi quietly worked on his game behind closed doors.

At ONE Friday Fights 81, the 28-year-old is excited to show the world the adjustments he made.

In fact, the S&B Gym man is confident that his new and improved self can still overcome Superlek in a possible rematch. He told the South China Morning Post:

"He’s gotten better, 100% because when you win, you [level up]. But I am still going to beat him, 100%."

Watch Ilias Ennahachi's full SCMP MMA interview: