At just 18 years old, Yonis Anane is already one of the most exciting young Muay Thai fighters on the planet.

The youngest-ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion has recorded nearly 50 professional victories and quickly emerged as one of the faces of the sport’s new generation.

The Team Mehdi Zatout phenom will face Freddie Haggerty in a highly anticipated strawweight Muay Thai showdown at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22. The blockbuster event airs live exclusively for members via live.onefc.com from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.

Outside the ring, however, Anane is still very much a part of Gen Z.

Fresh off finishing school and growing up fully immersed in the digital era, the younger brother of former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane spends much of his downtime doing exactly what many teenagers around the world do — playing mobile games, scrolling through social media, and watching anime.

The French-Thai striker is also well known for his close friendship with fellow Team Mehdi Zatout athlete PTT Apichart Farm. According to Anane, gaming has become one of the absolute best ways for him to mentally reset from the nonstop grind of elite-level training.

He said:

“I play with PTT a lot, and it’s fun. I play every day before sleeping.

“Gaming helps me relax my mind. If you get angry, you make mistakes. Staying calm is better. It’s similar to Muay Thai.”

That mindset may sound simple, but for Anane, it directly translates to his approach inside the ring.

The teenage striker recently suffered the first setback of his ONE Championship career in a thrilling firefight against Zhao Zhengdong at ONE Friday Fights 147 this past March. Since then, the young star has spoken candidly about learning to stay calmer and avoiding the trap of fighting emotionally under immense pressure.

Oddly enough, he firmly believes gaming teaches similar, highly applicable lessons. When he is not training, sparring, or recovering from grueling sessions, Anane often jumps into Arena of Valor with his teammates.

Just like his fighting style, his in-game approach is anything but passive. He vastly prefers playing aggressive attacking roles rather than sitting back as a support character.

He added:

“I play attacker. I don’t like healer characters because they’re too weak.

“I like Raz because he’s like a Muay Thai boxer. I like his attacks.”

Gon Freecss And The Anime Character Yonis Anane Relates To Most

Beyond mobile gaming, anime has also become a massive pillar of Yonis Anane’s life away from the heavy bags.

While his older brother, Nabil, is widely known as a massive One Piece fan, Yonis prefers timeless classics like Hunter x Hunter and Bleach.

For the teenage striker, however, one specific character stands head and shoulders above the rest: Gon Freecss.

Created by legendary manga artist Yoshihiro Togashi, Hunter x Hunter follows Gon’s epic journey as a young boy searching for his missing father while growing stronger through unbreakable friendships, daunting challenges, and perilous battles against increasingly dangerous opponents.

The series has become one of the most universally beloved anime franchises in the world, particularly among Gen Z fans, thanks to its emotional storytelling, iconic characters, and deep themes of loyalty, perseverance, and self-improvement.

Anane sees many of those exact qualities in Gon himself.

The 18-year-old explained:

“Hunter x Hunter is my favorite because it was my first anime.

“I like Gon because he’s brave, he never gives up, and he’s kind. I think he’s like me. I like his motivation.”

Rather than relying on reckless aggression, Anane has painstakingly built his reputation through supreme composure, surgical timing, technical precision, and an in-ring maturity far beyond his years. Those elite qualities continue to make him one of the brightest teenage martial artists in Muay Thai today.

Anane also enjoys comparing the people around him to characters from Hunter x Hunter, noting that his older brother reminds him most of Leorio Paradinight.

Much like the outspoken and fiercely protective Leorio in the anime, Nabil has consistently acted as both a supportive older brother and a mentor figure throughout Yonis’ fighting journey — expertly guiding him through rigorous training, life in Thailand, and the immense pressures of competing on the global stage at such a young age.

Like many diehard anime fans online, Yonis is also patiently waiting for new Hunter x Hunter episodes to drop, despite the series’ notoriously long hiatuses.

He concluded:

“I finished watching all episodes already. I’m waiting for new episodes, but I don’t think they will come soon.”

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Something has to give at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22, when the fluid brilliance of Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri meets the unyielding power of Kiamran Nabati.

This pivotal bantamweight Muay Thai main event goes down live in Asia primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, available exclusively to members at live.onefc.com.

Yod-IQ has proven to be one of the sport’s most technically sound tacticians. The Thai sensation paid his dues on the weekly circuit to amass an 11-1 promotional record, culminating in a breakthrough first-round knockout of Alexey Balyko to secure a six-figure contract. 

Nabati, however, brings a flawless 22-0 professional record and a reputation for absolute destruction. Following a devastating knockout of Suablack Tor Pran49 and a surgical victory over former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama, the returning Russian has a major point to prove.

Here is what each man must do to keep their momentum going on Friday. 

#1 Yod-IQ’s Technical Muay Femur Precision

Yod-IQ’s game centers on surgical precision, fluid movement, and calculated defense. The slick tactician shares a competitive lineage with his training partner and close friend, reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai.

A master of range, his stabbing teep and stiff jab act as premier distance-management tools. He commands the perimeter of the ring to ensure his technical advantages are constantly maximized.

That immense length also doubles as a deadly finishing weapon. In his high-stakes rematch with Balyko at ONE Friday Fights 137, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym product secured his redemption with a picture-perfect head kick knockout.

The setup was textbook muay femur style, using subtle feints to draw his adversary forward before launching the fight-ending strike. Nabati thrives on dictating the pace, but if Yod-IQ commands the distance, the Russian’s power is effectively neutralized.

#2 Nabati’s Relentless Pressure And Dynamite Left Hand

Nabati’s defining quality is his punishing forward aggression the moment the opening bell rings. He immediately smothers his opponents and forces heavy exchanges.

He has been absolute kryptonite for his Thai counterparts. Nabati’s chaotic, punch-heavy offense leaves zero room to breathe, making him a stylistic nightmare devoid of traditional pattern recognition. 

After blitzing opponents with combinations, he brilliantly sets up his left-hand missile to showcase his one-shot knockout power. He displayed this perfectly in his contract-winning finish of Suablack, where he cut off the ring immediately and landed a devastating left-hand combination.

Yod-IQ is a typical Thai warrior who likes to use the early rounds to gauge his opponent’s timing and speed. However, the undefeated Russian employs a suffocating pressure that directly counters that measured start, forcing immediate action.

#3 Yod-IQ’s Ring IQ And Adaptability

Yod-IQ is a brilliant kinetic chess player who constantly adjusts round by round. Training alongside Tawanchai and the world-class athletes at PK Saenchai Muaythaigym has elevated his tactical acumen to a world-beating level. 

Despite his youth, the 24-year-old Thai already boasts a staggering 126-36 career record and has faced every stylistic puzzle imaginable. He expertly reads his opponents’ rhythms, and the longer the fight goes, the more his tactical brilliance compounds.

He showed exactly how well he understands the intricacies of the sport when he neutralized power puncher Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev. Through intelligent lateral movement and pinpoint counter-striking, he completely dismantled his dangerous opponent.

The Buriram native excels at defusing physically imposing juggernauts without trading power for power. Nabati brings that exact forward-moving aggression to the ring, but it’s a familiar puzzle the young maestro has solved many times before. 

#4 Nabati’s Clinch And Close-Range Damage

Nabati finds massive success against high-level Thai opposition because of his extensive knowledge of the clinch game. His most effective work comes in the pocket, where he operates as a suffocating close-quarters specialist.

He is a master at initiating these chaotic entanglements and engineering his escape. Against Avatar PK Saenchai, the Archangel Michel representative repeatedly breached the guard to score two rapid-fire knockdowns in the final minute. 

Nabati displayed that same phone booth mastery against Nong-O, who is widely considered one of the best defensive fighters in the history of the sport. 

Yod-IQ will no doubt lean heavily on his reach advantage to keep the action on the outside. However, if the 31-year-old can reliably get inside and make the exchanges dirty, the Thai’s technical advantages will quickly diminish as that fight-ending power takes over.

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Former K-1 Champion Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto returns with her radar firmly locked on securing her first highlight-reel finish on the global stage of ONE Championship.

The 33-year-old Japanese striker meets Vero “The Kayan Leopard” in a high-stakes atomweight kickboxing matchup at The Inner Circle. Broadcasting live in Asia primetime, the blockbuster event takes place inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, May 22, available exclusively to subscribers on live.onefc.com.

The matchup carries massive implications for both women.

A victory for either star could immediately position them as the leading contender to challenge ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.

Kana told onefc.com:

“There’s both the challenge of the kickboxing rule set, and if she beats me, she gets a shot at Phetjeeja. Whether she wins or loses this fight will significantly change what comes next for her, so she’ll be coming in with very high motivation. I’m sure of it.”

With her World Title dreams well within reach, Kana has gone all out to ensure she gets her hand raised inside the ring.

The Team Aftermath striker is fully prepared for what the Myanmar standout brings to the table, though she admits Vero’s physical frame at atomweight provides a distinct advantage that could cause real problems.

She said:

“She has an amateur boxing background, so her boxing is sharp. And she has very long limbs, using that reach to make the most of her boxing technique is something I’m genuinely cautious about.”

Respect, however, only takes the Japanese star’s analysis so far. She is highly confident the kickboxing ruleset shifts the equation right back into her corner — and not by a small margin.

Where Vero’s boxing pedigree shines in a narrow technical window, the former four-time K-1 Champion believes her own arsenal spans the entire kickboxing canvas across every level, range, and weapon the ruleset allows. As such, Kana plans to drag Vero into deep waters before hunting for a late knockout to earn her 25th career victory.

She stated:

“The ruleset works in my favor – the volume of techniques available, the range of exchanges and tactical options. I think the gap in technical depth will show clearly.

“I want to put that on full display and win. And winning on points means nothing to me. I want to go for the finish. I plan to build the first and second rounds, then close it out in the third.”

The Rematch That Must Be Earned

A finishing performance against Vero unlocks the door to the only fight Kana Morimoto is truly chasing: a blockbuster rematch against Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.

The Thai megastar overcame the Team Aftermath affiliate in their five-round World Title tiff at ONE 172 in Saitama, Japan, in March of last year, and she is the only person standing between Kana and the 26 pounds of gold she covets in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

“Krusher Queen” shared:

“Vero is a fighter who deserves a title shot if she beats me, so I think she would be that caliber of opponent. 

“But it depends on how I win. If I win convincingly, the Phetjeeja rematch comes into view for me. I want to win, then tell Phetjeeja I want that rematch – right there in the ring.”

The destination for that rematch is strictly non-negotiable in Kana’s mind. She wants the highly anticipated sequel to take place inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Before any title conversation can officially begin, however, the former K-1 Champion has one massive job in front of her at The Inner Circle on May 22. And the Japanese warrior is ready to deliver a grueling battle that fans will remember long after the final bell — the exact kind of high-octane fight where the engine note matches her beloved bright red American muscle car.

The 33-year-old concluded:

“To Vero, I want to tell her, ‘Let’s have an exciting striking exchange and put on a great show for the crowd.’ 

“And to the fans, I’m going to give them that kind of fight and make the arena electric. So, I really hope everyone watches and pays attention to this one.”

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Undefeated Russian striker Kiamran Nabati understands exactly what makes Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri so dangerous, but he remains completely unfazed by his opponent’s growing hype.

The Archangel Michel representative will square off with the surging Thai sensation in a high-stakes bantamweight Muay Thai main event at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22, live in Asia primetime via live.onefc.com from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nabati enters the clash carrying a flawless 22-0 professional record, including four victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization. While Yod-IQ presents a different stylistic challenge from his previous opponents, the Russian remains confident in his ability to break the Thai standout down.

The 31-year-old believes Yod-IQ’s movement, timing, and constant angle changes make him one of the most technically elusive fighters in the division.

He said:

“I think my opponent’s main difference is that, unlike my previous opponents, he’s much more mobile. He moves a lot, doesn’t fight going forward, and usually waits and reacts.

“What makes him dangerous is probably his movement. In my opinion, he’s very mobile, never stays in one place, and always changes angles after throwing strikes. I think the hardest part will be getting to his head.”

That challenge has shaped Nabati’s preparation heading into the matchup.

Known for his heavy pressure and polished boxing combinations, the Russian understands that many opponents attempt to neutralize his offense by constantly fighting on the back foot. Still, he remains convinced his striking approach will overwhelm Yod-IQ.

He explained:

“Yes, my opponents prepare specifically for my boxing. They tend to fight on the back foot, and that’s what my opponent is going to do as well.

“As far as I know, he brought in boxers as sparring partners, but I don’t think that’s going to help him.”

Despite Yod-IQ’s growing reputation and nine-bout winning streak, which includes victories over four Russian opponents, Nabati was far from blown away by the Thai star’s latest performance.

Last December at ONE Friday Fights 137, Yod-IQ earned a coveted six-figure contract to join ONE Championship’s global roster after knocking out Alexey Balyko with a lightning-fast head kick in the opening round.

Still, the undefeated Russian believes the circumstances surrounding that result played a major role in the outcome.

Nabati said:

“When he earned his contract in his previous fight against Alexey Balyko, Balyko had already been knocked out before that fight and simply hadn’t recovered yet.

“So that performance didn’t impress me at all. I don’t think he’ll be able to do the same thing to me.”

Nabati Eyes World Title Contention With Victory Over Yod-IQ

Beyond the stylistic clash, Kiamran Nabati believes his matchup with Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri at The Inner Circle on May 22 carries major implications for the bantamweight Muay Thai division.

The Thai star has established himself as one of the most dangerous fighters on the weekly spectacle, compiling a lengthy winning streak while earning victories over multiple Russian opponents along the way.

Now, Nabati has an opportunity to halt that momentum while simultaneously strengthening his own position in the division’s World Title picture.

He said:

“My opponent has beaten all of our Russian fighters. If I’m not mistaken, he’s currently on a nine-fight winning streak.

“So a victory over him would bring me closer to a title shot. It doesn’t matter who they give me next – I’m ready to fight anyone.”

That confidence has continued to grow throughout his time at Archangel Michel, where Nabati credits the elite training environment and constant competition for accelerating his development as a professional athlete.

Training alongside high-level talent at the renowned gym on a daily basis has helped sharpen both his technical skills and composure under pressure, qualities he believes will be crucial in the main event spotlight.

While the occasion marks another major spotlight moment in his ONE Championship career, Nabati insists he feels no added pressure heading into the headline attraction.

Instead, the Russian sees the assignment as another opportunity to showcase his skills on the global stage.

He concluded:

“I’m very happy that we’ll be headlining this event. There’s no extra responsibility and no pressure.

“Our job is to go out there, put on an exciting fight, and entertain the fans.”

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Vero “The Kayan Leopard” has already conquered two combat sports in Myanmar. Now, she is hunting the biggest scalp of her career on the global stage.

The Tiger Muay Thai representative squares off against former K-1 Champion Kana “Krusher Queen” in a high-stakes atomweight kickboxing showdown at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22, streaming exclusively in Asia primetime via live.onefc.com from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Carrying a 30-4 professional record, the 29-year-old built her reputation long before arriving in ONE Championship. Vero dominated Myanmar’s boxing scene as a national champion and later became one of the country’s standout lethwei competitors, carving through opposition in the nation’s notoriously unforgiving striking sport.

After exhausting nearly every challenge available at home, “The Kayan Leopard” shifted toward Muay Thai and eventually made her way into the world’s largest martial arts organization. Though her promotional debut ended in disappointment in February 2025, she responded like elite fighters tend to do, rattling off three straight wins in the “art of eight limbs.”

Her latest outing may have been the most important yet. At ONE Friday Fights 143 this past February, Vero outlasted dangerous Israeli contender Shir Cohen in a frantic firefight that elevated her stock considerably heading into this matchup.

Now competing in kickboxing for the first time professionally, she faces a different test altogether.

Vero said:

“For me, if we talk about my original style, I’ve always preferred kickboxing. In my early fights, I debuted in Muay Thai, but honestly my style was never pure Muay Thai. I tried to learn and adapt to Muay Thai, but after seriously training kickboxing this time, I feel even more connected to it now. I like both sports, but right now I feel really good about kickboxing.”

Standing across from her will be one of the most decorated female strikers ever produced by Japan.

The 33-year-old Kana cemented herself as one of kickboxing’s pound-for-pound elite after capturing the K-1 Women’s Flyweight Championship and defending it three times during a dominant run under the Japanese banner.

After conquering the domestic scene, the Team Aftermath representative brought her talents to ONE Championship in pursuit of global greatness. Although she fell short against reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja, Kana rebounded emphatically by defeating former three-sport ruler Stamp Fairtex in her most recent appearance.

That resume is exactly why this fight carries enormous stakes for Vero.

A convincing win over a name of Kana’s caliber could catapult the Myanmar striker directly into the thick of the atomweight World Title race across multiple disciplines.

She declared:

“I want the knockout. In this fight, I’m definitely aiming for a knockout. Especially because this is my first kickboxing fight. If I can knock out Kana, it will completely change my life. I really want to do it. I want the knockout, and I believe I can do it. We’ll find out in the ring.”

Vero Eyes Winner Of Rodrigues Vs. Phetjeeja ONE World Title Fight

The atomweight landscape could look dramatically different over the next two months, and Vero knows it.

Reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues is scheduled to defend her crown against atomweight kickboxing queen Phetjeeja at The Inner Circle on June 19 in a clash between two of the best female strikers on the planet.

Depending on how things unfold, the winner of Vero versus Kana could find herself sitting just one big performance away from a ONE World Title opportunity.

Still, “The Kayan Leopard” is keeping her focus narrow for now.

She said:

“Right now the [ONE Atomweight Kickboxing] World Champion is Phetjeeja. So if I can get past Kana, I want to look straight toward a World Title shot immediately. My goal is to win the World Championship belt and test myself against the best fighters in the division.”

Phetjeeja has rapidly established herself as a pound-for-pound great across striking disciplines. The Thai superstar remains unbeaten in ONE Championship, defeating Anissa “C18” Meksen to claim the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title before unifying the belt against Janet “JT” Todd and defending it against Kana at ONE 172 last year.

Meanwhile, Rodrigues has built one of the strongest reigns in women’s Muay Thai. Since dethroning Stamp to capture the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title in 2020, the Brazilian mom-champ has defended her belt four times.

Vero offered:

“That’s a very difficult fight to predict. They’re both very strong in different ways. Honestly, I’m very excited to watch that fight too. I think it’s going to be a very intense and exciting matchup that fans shouldn’t miss. But if you ask me who wins, I really can’t say right now because they’re both top-level fighters.”

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Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri has wiped his slate clean, secured a highly coveted main-roster contract, and now he is ready to use an undefeated Russian destroyer as his elevator to the absolute top of the division.

The PK Saenchai Muay Thai Gym standout returns to face Kiamran Nabati in a high-stakes bantamweight Muay Thai main event at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22. The blockbuster spectacle streams live exclusively for members on live.onefc.com from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 24-year-old Buriram native, who first laced up a pair of Muay Thai gloves at just 7 years old, carries a remarkable 126-36 professional record and an 11-1 promotional ledger into this contest. He enters this matchup riding a spectacular nine-fight winning streak that has firmly established him as one of the most feared bantamweight strikers on the ONE Championship roster.

The moment that defined his recent journey came at ONE Friday Fights 137 last December when he landed a lightning-fast head kick to knock out Alexey Balyko — a devastating finish that definitively avenged his only promotional loss.

That single technique, painstakingly honed in training alongside ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai and his elite teammates, meant far more to the 24-year-old than just a viral highlight-reel moment.

Speaking to onefc.com, Yod-IQ reflected on what that massive victory meant to him:

“In my last fight against Alexey, I was so happy to close the show with that head kick. It wasn’t just about the thrill of the win; it was about unlocking everything. He was the only person who had left a stain on my record.

“Getting that knockout win back felt like I finally cleared my history and have a clean slate again.”

What followed the knockout made the evening even more unforgettable.

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong awarded Yod-IQ a six-figure main-roster contract. For a fighter who had fiercely battled criticism throughout his career, it was a moment of pure, unadulterated vindication.

He explained:

“When they announced that the boss just gave me a contract on stage, I was stunned. I was just thinking, ‘Wait, did I really just get it?’ Before this, I was constantly criticized for having a boring style — people said they wanted to turn off the TV when I fought. I had to fight through so much negativity.

“I believe boss Chatri gave me the contract partly because of that beautiful head kick, and partly because of the fans who cheered so loud when I asked for their support that day.”

Now comes Nabati. The 31-year-old Russian sensation out of Archangel Michael carries a perfect 22-0 professional record and has gone four-for-four inside ONE against world-class Thai opposition.

Explosive, precise, and thoroughly tested at the highest level, he is the exact kind of opponent that separates mere contenders from genuine World Title challengers.

Yod-IQ accepted the massive challenge without a moment’s hesitation, and he arrives with a crystal-clear strategy for slowing the Russian powerhouse down.

He said:

“Even though it’s a massive challenge, I accepted the fight immediately because I want to test my level. I’ve already got a plan to handle his punches, but I’ll have to force him to be the one walking into me so I don’t play into his game.

“My only real advantage is that I’m ‘fresher’ — he’s been out for a year, while I’ve been fighting consistently. I should be faster, and I’m going to throw every Muay Thai weapon in the book at him.”

Yod-IQ Has A Message For His Toughest Test Yet

Yod-IQ did not shy away from admitting that the name Kiamran Nabati gave him immediate pause.

The Thai standout has built a fearsome reputation for defeating Russian opponents, but even he acknowledged that Nabati occupies an entirely different tier. Studying the challenger’s footage revealed a technically complete martial artist with very few visible gaps, and Yod-IQ was not about to pretend otherwise.

He said:

“I’ll admit, when I heard his name, I was a bit shocked. I thought to myself, ‘Are they trying to keep me from rising up?’ (laughs). Kiamran is incredibly talented and highly skilled. He’s probably the toughest Russian fighter I’ve ever faced.

“His lead hook is lightning fast, and his combinations are terrifying. I can barely see any weaknesses in his game.”

Yet for all the immense respect Yod-IQ carries for his opponent, there is absolutely no confusion about the role he intends for Nabati to play on May 22.

The Thai rising star has a direct message for the undefeated Russian, and it is delivered with a smile, and an iron will behind it.

He concluded:

“To Kiamran, I’ve always respected you as an idol and a teacher in this sport. But now that we’re meeting in the ring, I will treat you as an elevator, I’m definitely not going to be a walkover.

“I am the ‘Russian Slayer,’ and for this fight, I’d like to ask you to be the elevator that takes me to the world-class level!”

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