Nabil Anane defeated Yuki Yoza by unanimous decision in a bantamweight kickboxing bout at ONE SAMURAI 4 in Tokyo on October 17. But the conversation continued after the final bell. The 6-foot-4 former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai champion used his reach to keep Yoza at a distance. Anane landed punches, high kicks and knees as Yoza pushed forward and attacked with calf kicks. All three judges awarded the three-round fight to Anane.

In a post-fight interview, Yoza said he had expected a more engaging fight and described the bout as “boring.” Anane responded on social media, pointing out that they had fought under kickboxing rules and challenging Yoza to try Muay Thai. The exchange has given fans another question to debate: was Anane’s control of the distance a smart way to beat a dangerous opponent, or did Yoza have a point about the fight? Anane’s victory ended a two-fight losing streak and kept him in the bantamweight kickboxing conversation.