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RIYADH: Morocco’s former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi is preparing to face former bantamweight champ Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE 171: Qatar, presented by Visit Qatar.

The fight is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha and victory could secure Ennahachi the coveted No. 1 contender spot for the bantamweight title.

“Winning this fight means everything to me: It’s for the fans, my country, and my future,” he said.

Having already made his mark as a flyweight champion, Ennahachi is determined to dominate a second division and establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in ONE Championship history. “I’m ranked No. 2 now, so if I win this fight, I believe I’ll get the title shot next,” he said.

Beyond the fight itself, Ennahachi acknowledges the significance of being an Arab competing in Qatar. “Fighting in an Arab country feels special,” he said. “It’s like fighting at home. Events like this inspire young fighters in the region to dream big and show them that they can reach the highest levels of martial arts.”

Despite the competitive nature of the bout, Ennahachi and Petchtanong respect each other.

“We’ve talked a lot on Instagram,” the Moroccan said of his Thai opponent. “He’s a great guy and very respectful, but inside the ring, it’s business. I’ve studied his strengths and weaknesses, and I’m ready to capitalize on them.”

Facing an experienced southpaw has required a focused and tailored approach from Ennahachi.

“I’ve been sparring a lot with southpaw partners to familiarize myself with his angles and movements. His boxing isn’t his strongest asset, and I’ve been working to exploit that. Cardio is everything in a fight like this, and I’ve been pushing myself to the limit to ensure I can maintain pressure for the entire fight.”

Speaking from the Netherlands before his trip to Qatar, Ennahachi is taking added inspiration from Morocco’s historic World Cup run in the country three years ago. “Watching Morocco make history brought so much pride to the country,” he said. “Moments like that push you to perform at your best and show the world what you’re capable of.”

That same determination fuels Ennahachi as he balances his career with his responsibilities as a father and mentor to troubled young people in the Netherlands. “Everything I do is for my family and my community,” he said. “It motivates me to push harder every day.”

With martial arts growing in popularity in the Middle East, Ennahachi sees this as a chance to inspire others. “ONE Championship is one of the biggest martial arts organizations in the world, and having events in Qatar shows the potential for the sport to grow in the region. This is about creating role models and showing aspiring fighters that they can achieve their dreams.”

When he steps into the Lusail Sports Arena, Ilias Ennahachi will be ready to prove why he belongs at the top, driven by a desire to create a legacy that will inspire Arab fighters and fans worldwide.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Karate fighter Shahzaib Rind successfully defended his lightweight title against former three-time world champion Edgars Skrivers, defeating him 7-0 at the Karate Combat (KC) 52 event in Miami, the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) announced on Sunday.

The KC52, a professional full-contact karate league, is part of a global karate MMA series featuring skilled fighters in action-packed competitions. 

Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

During the two and half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.

“In a stunning display of skill and determination, Rind has claimed his second championship title after a hard-fought victory against Edgars Skrivers,” the PMMAF said. 

“The intense showdown unfolded on Friday in Miami, captivating audiences with its electrifying energy and showcasing the best of competitive spirit.”

The statement said Rind delivered an “extraordinary” performance that kept his fans excited throughout the match, adding that his “dedication, relentless training, and remarkable skill” had solidified his position as one of the top contenders.

“Rind’s triumph is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work,” the sports body said. “As fans celebrate this incredible achievement, they eagerly await what the future holds for this rising star.”

The Pakistan Embassy in New York congratulated Rind on defending his title.

“Heartfelt congratulations to MMA fighter Shahzaib Rind, the brave son of Pakistan who hails from Balochistan, on defending his lightweight title in Miami, Florida, USA and becoming the world champion for the second time,” the embassy said on X. “Shahzaib Rind dedicated his victory to the people of Pakistan.”

Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4, the majority of which was attained while training himself by watching YouTube videos. He is currently training under Asim Zaidi at the renowned Goat Shed gym in Miami.

Zaidi is the president of Karate Combat, a brand that promotes the first professional full-contact karate league, hosting worldwide events since April 2018.