Kickboxing Star Ilias Ennahachi Teases Move To MMA With Wrestling Video
ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi has consistently showcased his impeccable striking skills on the global stage, but it seems like he’s getting ready for a big change.
The Dutch-Moroccan star recently posted a video of his wrestling practice that piqued the interest of MMA fans.
Ennahachi looked comfortable hitting a slide-by on his training partner in the short clip, which also included the caption:
“Step-by-step⌛️”
It’s not the first time “Tweety” has provided a glimpse at his developing mixed martial arts skills.
The Utrecht native also shared brief footage of some training drills last month, where he combined his striking combinations with a double-leg takedown.
Ilias Ennahachi Has Called Out The MMA GOAT
Along with his training, Ilias Ennahachi has expressed interest in facing some big names in mixed martial arts.
Following his ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title defense against Superlek Kiatmoo9 in 2021, “Tweety” used his post-fight interview to call out 12-time Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious Johnson.
The 26-year-old then doubled down after “Mighty Mouse” – who will rematch Adriano Moraes for the flyweight MMA belt at ONE 161 on August 26 – expressed interest in a move to kickboxing.
Ennahachi wrote on Instagram:
“Hello @mighty , i just heard you were considering an experience at kickboxing inside @onechampionship. I’m excited with that news, not only because i’m the @onechampionship champion at your weight class, but also because i think the kickboxing world would love to see you at this sport. After all, you are a living legend.
“As a [World Champion], I would like to challenge you for a fight at ONE Championship, and to be fair, if i win (which i will, trust me), I will give you the rematch in your rules (MMA), this way it’s fair for both!!
“It will be an honor to fight a legend like you, so @yodchatri and @onechampionship let’s make this happen !!! I can’t wait for it…. And Still!!!!”
Even Moraes has thrown his hat into the ring after seeing how well Johnson’s mixed-rules fight with Muay Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon was received at ONE X in March.
The reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion indicated that he would be open to a future matchup with Ennahachi – either with special rules or in mixed martial arts.
Moraes said:
“I see that kind of super-fight as an option too. There’s the kickboxing champion, Ilias Ennahachi, a very tough guy, and he’s already shown interest in doing a fight with these rules. So why not? He’s a great striker, so it would be an interesting fight. But it would be even more interesting if it was just MMA.”
