“This makes you stronger” - Regian Eersel admits losing lightweight kickboxing belt to Alexis Nicolas only serves as motivation

It may be an absurd statement, but Regian Eersel isn't used to losing.

The former double-champion hadn't lost in eight years until he relinquished the ONE lightweight kickboxing world title to Alexis Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 21 earlier this year.

The defeat was an all too new experience for Eersel, who rode a preposterous 22-fight winning streak into the match, but it was an ordeal he had to go through if he wanted to further his martial arts legacy.

In a YouTube documentary, Regian Eersel told Pyår Sports that the defeat only rekindled a fire within him.

Eersel said he must reclaim his lost gold, and he can capitalize on such an opportunity when he challenges for the world title in his rematch against Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 25 this Friday, US primetime, at Lumpinee Stadium.

He said:

"It’s maybe a strange thing to say, but I don’t experience moments like these very often. I also try to store these kinds of moments. In the previous loss, even though it was eight years ago, I also stored it. Not because I’m down or anything, but this makes you stronger. Then you think for a moment, next time we’ll do even better or we will do it in a different way."

It's been nearly six months since that precious lightweight kickboxing belt has been missing from Eersel's trophy case, and the reigning ONE lightweight Muay Thai world champion is determined to reach champ-champ status again.

Eersel's world title rematch against Nicolas, and the entire ONE Fight Night 25 card, is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

See the full video below:

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Regian Eersel says he has to be more methodical in his world title challenge against Alexis Nicolas

Regian Eersel knows he has to keep his aggression in check when he gets a shot at Alexis Nicolas on Friday in Bangkok.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Eersel said he has to be smarter in his approach to breaking down Nicolas' game:

"My mindset is still the same. All true. I have to be smart at [breaking him down] this time. So I think a little bit less aggression and more fight IQ this time."