The championship defensive plans crumbled when Jonathan Haggerty was injured. But Nabil Anane is refusing to let opportunities go away despite losing his expected showdown with the former two-sport king.
The undisputed ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion now meets former three-time K-1 champion Hiromi Wajima in featherweight kickboxing action on AN 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 21-year-old Thai-Algerian is switching sports and jumping a weight class after Haggerty’s injury forced the cancellation of their title fight.
Anane built his reputation on destruction rather than decisions. The towering striker knocked out Scottish powerhouse Nico Carrillo in January and captured interim gold at ONE 170. His victory over pound-for-pound superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 172 cemented his status among elite competitors and ended their rivalry after a brutal debut loss two years earlier.
His brief kickboxing experiment against Ilias Ennahachi in September showed devastating potential before an accidental low blow ended their fight in a no contest. Anane dominated the former flyweight king, dropping him early and unleashing brutal combinations that suggested championship potential in multiple disciplines.
The fight originally promised him a chance to defend his Muay Thai crown in Tokyo. But Haggerty’s withdrawal turned the title defense into an entirely different kind of test. Moving up to featherweight while transitioning from Muay Thai to kickboxing creates tactical challenges that few fighters are willing to accept on short notice.
Hiromi Wajima brings championship data to the match against Nabil Anane
Hiromi Wajima arrives with knockout power that ends fights without warning. The Japanese striker has a professional record of 22-6 and an 82 percent success rate, which speaks to his attacking abilities.
His three reigns in the K-1 Super Welterweight title demonstrated consistent excellence against world-class competition. Wajima claimed his crown by defeating old rival Minoru Kimura in their December 2021 trilogy, making two successful defenses before ultimately surrendering the title.
The 30-year-old veteran is riding a two-fight winning streak in his ONE Championship debut. A win over Anane would herald his arrival into the promotion’s top five featherweight kickboxing prospects and make him a legitimate threat to Jonathan Haggerty’s throne.
Anane’s 6-foot-4 frame creates problems that few forwards can solve. His exceptional reach allows him to control the distance while unleashing devastating combinations that have knocked out multiple elite opponents. But Wajima’s experience and proven knockout ability come with dangers that require respect regardless of the size advantages.
#Jonathan #Haggertys #injury #forces #Nabil #Anane #challenge #Hiromi #Wajima #BJPenn.com