The word “flawless” does not even begin to describe Regian Eersel’s incredibly dominant run in ONE Championship.
Serving as the top dog in the lightweight Muay Thai and kickboxing ranks, ‘The Immortal’ has quietly accumulated a 9-0 run inside the circle, with seven of those victories being high-stakes world title matches.
His greatness will once again be in the spotlight for the entire world to see at ONE Fight Night 11: Eersel vs Menshikov on Prime Video on June 9.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Before the Surinamese-Dutch sensation defends his Muay Thai crown against dangerous challenger Dmitry Menshikov inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, let’s first take a look at his five best moments inside the circle.
As always, ONE Fight Night 11 will air live in US primetime and air free for Prime Video subscribers in North America.
#5. Historic debut (first kickboxing match in ONE history)
Now considered one of the best kickboxers in the world, it’s only fitting for Regian Eersel to be part of the promotion’s first-ever kickboxing match back in 2018.
The 30-year-old striking superstar entered the Singapore-based promotion on the heels of an 11-fight winning streak. He took on New Zealand’s Brad Riddell at ONE: Heroes of Honor in 2018.
After a back-and-forth first round, Eersel scored a knockdown courtesy of a crushing knee to the body that dropped Riddell. 'The Immortal' cruised to a unanimous decision victory and began his reign of terror in ONE Championship.
Rewatch Eersel’s stunning debut below:
#4. Overcame adversity vs. Arian Sadikovic
Apart from his first match with Sinsamut Klinmee, Eersel has pretty much been untouchable inside the circle and has not meant much resistance.
However, Arian Sadikovic gave him a huge scare at ONE 156. The Sityodtong Amsterdam standout was dominating early on, up until he got caught by a jumping knee by the challenger in round two.
Living up to his nickname, 'The Immortal' shook off the hit and valiantly continued. He turned up the volume in the ensuing rounds, besting “Game Over” the rest of the way to retain his gold strap.
Check out Eersel’s mighty comeback:
#3. Becomes the inaugural ONE lightweight kickboxing world champion
Eersel earned himself an opportunity to become the inaugural ONE lightweight kickboxing king at ONE: Enter the Dragon in 2019. Standing in his way, though, was Dutch destroyer Nieky Holzken, who wasn’t going to make things easy for him.
As expected, both fighters left it all on the line and had their moments in the first three rounds. Round four, however, clearly belonged to Eersel, as he clocked Holzken with a knee to the head to send him to the canvas.
'The Natural' survived and made it to the final bell, but it was the Surinamese-Dutch fighter who came away with the unanimous decision nod and the right to be called the division’s best.
Here’s Eersel's crowning moment:
#2. Becomes a two-sport world champion
After clearing out his division, it was clear that Eersel was primed for bigger things. ONE rewarded him with a shot at two-sport supremacy and he seized the opportunity at hand at ONE on Prime Video 3 last year.
But to make history, Eersel must get past a rampaging Thai, who recorded fearsome knockouts in his first two circle outings. Sinsamut Klinmee gave Eersel all he can handle, trading heavy punches and kicks with the unbeaten champion in the first four rounds.
Sensing the fight was razor close heading into the final canto, the lightweight kickboxing king turned up the ante in the fifth round and used his superior conditioning and sharp strikes to get the split decision victory and take home two shiny belts.
Relive Eersel’s historic win:
#1. Silences his doubters in Sinsamut rematch
Given the close nature of their first battle, fans wanted to see a do-over between 'The Immortal' and 'Aquaman'.
Their prayers were answered at ONE Friday Fights 9 last March when the pair settled the score inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Eersel looked a lot more comfortable fighting in 4oz. gloves this time around, completely shutting down his aggressive challenger. He ended Klinmee’s night in round four, uncorking a massive hook to the liver that took the wind out of the Thai star and effectively ended his world title hopes.
Relive Eersel’s epic knockout win here: