'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rather than being the hunted, Regian Eersel is embracing the role of a hunter for a change.
'The Immortal' has been the apex predator of the ONE lightweight kickboxing ranks for so long and has been used to constantly having a massive target on his back.
This time around, however, Eersel will be the one looking to usurp the division's new kingpin Alexis Nicolas in a bid to regain the crown he once held.
The Surinamese striker saw his immaculate 10-0 run in ONE snapped at the hands of 'Barboza' at ONE Fight Night 21 last April.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
The undefeated Frenchman gave him all he could handle for five rounds and walked away with a unanimous decision nod and 26 pounds of gold.
Given the close nature of their first encounter, a do-over seemed inevitable. That moment of truth will finally arrive at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs Eersel II on Prime Video on October 4 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Speaking to MMA UK ahead of his bid for redemption, Eersel admitted a shift in mindset now that he's the one chasing for the belt:
"My camp is going well. Everything's on schedule. [It's a] heavy camp for my body as well as for my mind, of course, but yeah, it's a rematch. So you know the pressure to win is even higher than defending my belt but it's going well. I'm satisfied."
Watch Regian Eersel's full interview:
Alexis Nicolas confident the result will stay the same in Regian Eersel rematch
While Regian Eersel will look to rectify the mistakes that cost him his belt, the new champ will enter the do-over with his confidence at an all-time high.
In an interview uploaded on the Phuket Fight Club's official YouTube page, Nicolas shared that he's been putting in the work to ensure the lightweight kickboxing strap stays in France:
"I've set everything up for this fight camp to ensure the preparation for the next fight goes smoothly. Leo and Gabriel are handling the boxing, which is really great. I'm managing the tactics and strategy."
ONE Fight Night 25 will air live in US Primetime free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in North America
