Regian Eersel

Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer

Regian Eersel

Born| Regian Baudilio Gudo Eersel
(1992-12-16) December 16, 1992 (age 32)
Paramaribo, Suriname
Other names| The Immortal
Height| 1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight| 77.1 kg (170 lb; 12.14 st)
Division| Lightweight (ONE)
Welterweight
Middleweight
Reach| 77.0 in (196 cm)
Style| Muay Thai, Kickboxing
Fighting out of| Amsterdam, Netherlands
Team| Sityodtong Amsterdam (2008–present)[2][3]
Trainer| Paul Pengel
Vincent Pengel
Years active| 2013–present
Kickboxing record
Total| 68
Wins| 63
By knockout| 27
Losses| 5
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec

Last updated on: September 27, 2020

Regian Eersel (born 16 December 1992) is a Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer currently signed to ONE Championship. He is the current ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion and current ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion.

Regian Eersel is one of the most accomplished champions in ONE Championship, holding multiple records including being the first person to defend belts in two sports (Kickboxing and Muay thai), the only person to defend them multiple times, most title defenses in kickboxing, and the longest superseries reign

He is ranked as the best welterweight in the world by Combat Press as of September 2022,[4] and the second best by Beyond Kickboxing as of October 2022.[5] He has been continually ranked in Combat Press the top 10 since March 2019.[6] As of March 2023, Eersel is ranked the No. 1 light heavyweight by WBC Muaythai.[7] Eersel holds notable victories over Nieky Holzken (2×), Dmitry Menshikov, Sinsamut Klinmee (2×), Arian Sadiković, Mustapha Haida, Jamal Yusupov, Sergej Braun, Brad Riddell, Alexis Nicolas and Jo Nattawut

## Background

[edit]

Eersel was born in Paramaribo, Suriname and moved to the Netherlands with his family when he was four years old.[8] He started taekwondo at the age of eight, and transitioned to rugby afterwards.[8] At the age of 15, he started training at Sityodtong Gym in Amsterdam.[9] His nickname, The Immortal, was given to Eersel in this early amateur era. His teammates gave it to him, as he never used the break time between the rounds to sit and regain breath.[10]

As it was not easy to find competitors in the Netherlands after becoming a professional athlete in his weightclass, he tried his luck abroad. In Baku, Azerbaijan, Eersel took part in a K1-tournament, where he qualified for the finals. He did not win the finals, but the hunger for more had started.[10]

After this Eersel was invited for competitions in his country of birth Surinam, Russia (W5), Greece, Germany, Turkey (Mix Fight Gala), the US (Legacy and Lion Fight) and China (Wu Lin Feng, Glory of Heroes).[10]

## Kickboxing career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

Eersel made his Lion Fight debut against Jo Nattawut at Lion Fight 29 on May 27, 2016. He won the fight in the fifth round, with a head kick knockout.[11]

After defeating the two-weight Lion Fight champion, Eersel was given a chance to fight for the Super Middleweight title, with his opponent being Jake Purdy. The title bout took place at Lion Fight 33 on November 18, 2016. Eersel won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[12] He then fought Chen Yawei during Mix Fight Gala 20, on December 3, 2016, winning the fight by a first round-knockout.[13] Eersel made his first Lion Fight title defense against Dewitt Pratt at Lion Fight 34 on February 3, 2017. He won the fight by a knockout in the first round.[14]

Eersel took part in the Mix Fight Gala 78.5 kg tournament, which took place at Mix Fight Gala 21 on May 6, 2017. He beat Marco Pleschberger in the semi-finals by a second-round technical knockout, and Sergej Braun in the finals by a first-round knockout to capture the tournament title.[15]

Regian made his second Lion Fight title defense against Matous Kohout at Lion Fight 38 on September 29, 2017. He won the fight by a fifth-round KO.[16] His third title defense came during Lion Fight 50, when he defeated Joakim Hagg by a fifth-round TKO.[17]

### ONE Championship

[edit]

Eersel made his ONE Championship debut against Brad Riddell at ONE Championship: Heroes of Honor in April 2018. Eersel won the fight by a unanimous decision.[18] Despite being contracted with ONE Championship, Eersel made his third Lion Fight title defense against Joakim Hagg at Lion Fight 50 on November 3, 2018. He won the fight by a fifth-round technical knockout.[19]

Eersel faced Anthony Njokuani at ONE Championship: Call to Greatness on February 22, 2019.[20] He won the fight by second-round knockout. The fight ended in some controversy, as Njokuani claimed an illegal elbow led to his stoppage loss.[21] Njokuani later appealed the decision.[22]

#### Lightweight kickboxing champion

[edit]

On May 17, 2019, he challenged Nieky Holzken for the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Championship 96: Enter the Dragon on May 17, 2019.[23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24] Eersel made his first title defense in an immediate rematch with Holzken at ONE Championship: Dawn Of Valor on October 26, 2019.[25] He once again won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Eersel was booked to make his second title defense against Mustapha Haida at ONE Championship: Unbreakable.[27] However, Haida was forced to withdraw after sustaining an injury, leading to the cancellation of their bout. Regian Eersel was later scheduled to defend the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship against Islam Murtazaev at ONE Championship: Fists Of Fury 3 on March 19, 2021.[28] Murtazaev himself would later withdraw, for undisclosed reasons, and was replaced by Mustapha Haida.[29] Eersel successfully defended the title by unanimous decision.[30]

Eersel defended his title against Islam Murtazaev at ONE: Winter Warriors on December 3, 2021.[31] He won the bout via split decision.[32]

Eersel was scheduled to make his fourth ONE lightweight title defense against Arian Sadiković at ONE 156 on April 8, 2022.[33] Despite suffering an early knockdown, Eersel rallied back to win the following rounds and retain his title by unanimous decision. He was awarded a $50,000 bonus for winning the fight.[34]

#### Two sport lightweight champion

[edit]

Eersel faced Sinsamut Klinmee for the inaugural ONE Muay Thai Lightweight World Championship at ONE on Prime Video 3 on October 21, 2022.[35] He captured the championship by split decision.[36]

Eersel made his first lightweight Muay Thai title defense in an immediate rematch with Sinsamut Klinmee at ONE Friday Fights 9 on March 17, 2023.[37] He won the fight by a fourth-round knockout.[38] Eersel was awarded a $50,000 bonus following this victory.[39]

Eersel defend his Muay Thai title against Dmitry Menshikov at ONE Fight Night 11 on June 9, 2023.[40][41] He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[42]

Eersel faced Alexis Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 21 on April 6, 2024, he lost his Kickboxing title via unanimous decision.[43]

The rematch between Eersel and Nicolas for the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship took place on October 5, 2024, at ONE Fight Night 25.[44] He won the title via unanimous decision.[45]

The trilogy bout between Eersel and Nicolas took place on April 5, 2025, at ONE Fight Night 30.[46] At the weigh-ins, Eersel failed the hydration test and came in at 170.5 pounds, 0.5 pounds over the lightweight limit. As a results, Eersel was stripped of the title and Nicolas was eligible to win it.[47][48] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[49]

## Personal life

[edit]

Eersel and his girlfriend have two daughters.[8]

## Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

* ONE Championship
* ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship (One time; current)
* Two successful title defenses
* ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship (Two times; former) [50]
* Four successful title defenses
* First Superseries champion to reclaim their belt.
* Performance of the Night (Three time) (vs. Arian Sadiković, Sinsamut Klinmee, Dmitry Menshikov)
* Third athlete to hold belts in two sports in ONE Championship (Muay Thai, Kickboxing)
* Only athlete in ONE Championship to defend the belts in both sports
* most title defenses for kickboxing in ONE Championship (4)
* most consecutive title defenses for kickboxing in ONE Championship (4)
* Most wins in the ONE Super Series Lightweight Division (10)
* Longest ONE Super Series reign 2185 days
(incumbent)
* Longest Kickboxing win streak in ONE Championship (7)
* Most cumulative Significant strikes landed in One Super Series Lightweight (887)
* Mix Fighting Championship
* 2017 Mix Fight -78.5 kg Tournament Winner
* Lion Fight
* Lion Fight Super Middleweight World Champion (168 lb) 2016[51] (Three title defenses)

## Fight record

[edit]

Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing record  63 wins (27 (T)KOs), 5 losses, 0 draws, 0 no contests

Date  | Result  | Opponent | Event | Location  | Method | Round | Time
2025-04-05 | Win |  Alexis Nicolas | ONE Fight Night 30 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Majority) | 5 | 3:00
Eersel was stripped of the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship after missing weight. Only Nicolas could win the title.
2024-10-05 | Win |  Alexis Nicolas | ONE Fight Night 25 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00
Wins the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship.
2024-04-06 | Loss |  Alexis Nicolas | ONE Fight Night 21 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decisions (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00
Lost the ONE Kickboxing Lightweight title.
2023-06-10 | Win |  Dmitry Menshikov | ONE Fight Night 11 | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Left hook) | 1 | 0:46
Defends the ONE Muay Thai Lightweight title.
2023-03-17 | Win |  Sinsamut Klinmee | ONE Friday Fights 9 | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Left hook to the body) | 4 | 1:17
Defends the ONE Muay Thai Lightweight title.
2022-10-22 | Win |  Sinsamut Klinmee | ONE on Prime Video 3 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Decision (split) | 5 | 3:00
Wins the inaugural ONE Muay Thai Lightweight title.
2022-04-22 | Win |  Arian Sadiković | ONE 156 | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00
Defends the ONE Kickboxing Lightweight title.
2021-12-03 | Win |  Islam Murtazaev | ONE: Winter Warriors | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (split) | 5 | 3:00
Defends the ONE Kickboxing Lightweight title.
2021-02-26 | Win |  Mustapha Haida | ONE Championship: Fists Of Fury 3 | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00
Defends the ONE Kickboxing Lightweight title.
2019-10-26 | Win |  Nieky Holzken | ONE Championship: Dawn Of Valor | Jakarta, Indonesia | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00
Defends the ONE Kickboxing Lightweight title.
2019-05-17 | Win |  Nieky Holzken | ONE Championship 96: Enter the Dragon | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00
Wins the inaugural ONE Kickboxing Lightweight title.
2019-02-22 | Win |  Anthony Njokuani | ONE Championship: Call to Greatness | Singapore | KO (Right hook) | 2 | 1:03
2018-11-03 | Win |  Joakim Hagg | Lion Fight 50 | Los Angeles, United States | TKO | 5 | 3:00
Defends the Lion Fight Super Middleweight title.
2018-04-20 | Win |  Brad Riddell | ONE Championship: Heroes of Honor | Manila, Philippines | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00
2018-03-03 | Win |  Jamal Yusupov | Wu Lin Feng 2018: World Championship Tianjin | Tianjin, China | Decision | 3 | 3:00
2017-12-02 | Win |  Darryl Sichtman | Mix Fight Gala 23 | Frankfurt, Germany | Decision | 3 | 3:00
2017-09-29 | Win |  Matous Kohout | Lion Fight 38 | United States | KO (Knee to the body) | 5 | 1:00
Defends the Lion Fight Super Middleweight title.
2017-07-01 | Win |  Djibril Ehouo | Wu Lin Feng | China | KO |  |
2017-05-06 | Win |  Sergej Braun | Mix Fight Gala 21, Final | Heilbronn, Germany | KO (Left hook to the body) | 1 |
Won the Mix Fight -78.5 kg Tournament title.
2017-05-06 | Win |  Marco Pleschberger | Mix Fight Gala 21, Semi-final | Heilbronn, Germany | TKO | 2 |
2017-04-01 | Win |  Ma Yueheng | Wu Lin Feng 2017: China VS Europe | China | KO (Knee to the Body) | 1 | 1:24
2017-02-03 | Win |  Dewitt Pratt | Lion Fight 34 | Las Vegas, United States | KO (Flying Knee + right cross) | 1 |
Defends the Lion Fight Super Middleweight title.
2016-12-03 | Win |  Chen Yawei | Mix Fight Gala 20 | Frankfurt, Germany | KO (Knee to the body) | 1 |
2016-11-18 | Win |  Jake Purdy | Lion Fight 33 | United States | KO (Flying knee) | 2 |
Wins the Lion Fight Super Middleweight title.
2016-05-27 | Win |  Jo Nattawut | Lion Fight 29 | United States | KO (Right high kick) | 5 |
2016-03-18 | Loss |  Matous Kohout | Heroes Gate 16 | Czech Republic | Decision | 3 | 3:00
2015-12-05 | Win |  Wang Anying | Wu Lin Feng | China | KO |  |
2015-04-19 | Win |  Khalid Bourdif | The Best of all Elements | Almere, Netherlands | TKO (Doctor stoppage) | 2 |
2015-04-04 | Win |  Nu Erla | Wu Lin Feng | China | KO (High Kick) | 2 |
2015-01-16 | Loss |  Cosmo Alexandre | Legacy Kickboxing 1 | Houston, United States | Decision | 3 | 3:00
2014-12-23 | Win |  Lorand Sachs | Fighting With The Stars | Paramaribo, Suriname | Decision | 3 | 3:00
2014-10-11 | Loss |  Alexander Surzhko | W5 "GRAND PRIX REMATCH | Moscow, Russia | Decision | 3 | 3:00
2013-12-22 | Win |  Alexey Alexeev | W5 "GRAND PRIX MOSCOW | Moscow, Russia | KO | 3 |
2013-11-16 | Win |  Ivan Babachenko | W5 "GRAND PRIX OREL | Moscow, Russia | Decision | 3 | 3:00
2013-11-03 | Win |  Juan Bol | Enfusion 9 | The Hague, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00
Legend:  Win  Loss  Draw/No contest  Notes

## See also

[edit]

* List of male kickboxers

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Regian Eersel". boxrec.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
2. ^ "Regian Eersel". onefc.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
3. ^ "Regian Eersel Found His Calling At Sityodtong Amsterdam". ONE Championship. October 24, 2019.
4. ^ Aittama, Zach (7 September 2022). "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: September 2022". Combat Press. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
5. ^ Strobel, Kevin (1 October 2022). "Kickboxing Rankings October 2022 — Leona Pettas wins K-1 World Grand Prix and takes top spot at Super Bantamweight". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
6. ^ "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: March 2019". combatpress.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
7. ^ "WBC MUAYTHAI RANKING NOVEMBER 2023". WBC MUAY THAI OFFICIAL SITE. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
8. ^ a b c Dan Kuhl (October 20, 2022). "ONE on Prime Video 3's Regian Eersel: 'I Live My Dream Now'". combatpress.com.
9. ^ "Regian Eersel's Inspirational Journey To World Title Success". onefc.com. 9 May 2019.
10. ^ a b c "Ik ben Regian "The Immortal" Eersel". vice.com (in Dutch). 10 October 2019.
11. ^ "Lion Fight 29 Results: Eersel Crushes Nattawut To Highlight Night of Finishes". combatpress.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
12. ^ "Lion Fight 33 Results: Nattawut, Shevchenko Retain, Eersel Crowned Champion". combatpress.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
13. ^ "Mix Fight Gala 20 – Europe vs. China – Fightcard". perfectkickboxing.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
14. ^ "Lion Fight 34 Results: Eersel Runs Through Pratt, Barlow Dominates Uslu". combatpress.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
15. ^ "Mix Fight Gala 21 Results: Eersel Captures Tournament Title, Tuinov Dominant". combatpress.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
16. ^ "Lion Fight 38 Results: Eersel Stops Kohout to Retain Title". combatpress.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
17. ^ "Lion Fight 50 Results: Eersel Beats Hagg, Aragon Tops Mauceri". combatpress.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
18. ^ "UFC, One Championship on Kiwi Brad Riddell's radar as he bids to finish China's Zheng Zhaoyu at Powerplay 38". heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
19. ^ Aittama, Zach (3 November 2018). "Lion Fight 50 Results: Eersel Beats Hagg, Aragon Tops Mauceri". combatpress.com. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
20. ^ "Vidéos : Nieky HOLZKEN vainqueur au ONE CHAMPIONSHIP". muaythaitv.fr. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
21. ^ "Njokuani: Illegal Elbow by Eersel". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
22. ^ "Anthony Njokuani to appeal decision of ONE Championship kickboxing bout against Regian Eersel". thebodylockmma.com. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
23. ^ "Kok uit Zuidoost gaat voor wereldtitel kickboksen: 'Ik werd verliefd op de sport'". at5.nl (in Dutch). 4 May 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
24. ^ Van Arendonk, Lennart (17 May 2019). "Regian Eersel wint als eerste Nederlander de ONE wereldtitel". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 July 2022.
25. ^ "Regian Eersel expects tougher outing in rematch with Nieky Holzken". tiebreakertimes.com. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
26. ^ "ONE Championship 2019: Dawn of Valor Results and Highlights". Bleacher Report.
27. ^ Urapeepatanapong, Pontakorn. "ONE: Unbreakable Full Lineup Revealed". apmma.net. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
28. ^ Cox, Rob (15 March 2021). "Mustapha Haida says he will be too much for Regian Eersel". asianmma.com. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
29. ^ "Haida Challenges Eersel at ONE FOF 3". kickboxingz.com. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
30. ^ Leonte, Tudor. "Regian Eersel Upends Mustapha Haida to Retain Belt at One: Fists of Fury 3". sherdog.com. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
31. ^ "Eersel, Murtazaev Out For Respect At ONE Winter Warriors". blackbeltmag.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
32. ^ "ONE Championship 'Winter Warriors' Results: Stamp Wins Grand Prix, Eersel Defends". Combat Press. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
33. ^ Dorff, Marcel (25 February 2022). "One Championship | Masterclass Reinier De Ridder In Singapore". eurosport.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 February 2022.
34. ^ Taylor, Tom (22 April 2022). "ONE Championship 156: Regian Eersel survives huge scare, beats 'warrior' Arian Sadikovic to retain title – and win US$50,000 bonus". scmp.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
35. ^ Bangkok Post (7 September 2022). "Sinsamut gets shot at inaugural ONE lightweight Muay Thai world title". thailandtv.news. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
36. ^ van Soest, Lars (22 October 2022). "Regian Eersel zet uitzonderlijke prestatie neer en is nu wereldkampioen in twee verschillende sporten". telegraaf.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 October 2022.
37. ^ Patrick, Joseph (13 February 2023). "Regian Eersel, Sinsamut Klinmee To Run It Back For Muay Thai World Title In March". ibtimes.com. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
38. ^ Yomjinda, Woradon (17 March 2023). "ONE Friday Fights 9 Results: Regian Eersel Lands Devastating Liver Shot to Defend His ONE Lightweight Muay Thai Title Against Sinsamut". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
39. ^ Taylor, Tom (18 March 2023). "ONE Championship Friday Fights 9: Regian Eersel earns US$50,000 bonus with body shot KO of Sinsamut". scmp.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
40. ^ Pico, Borna. "Dmitry Menshikov Has Signed With ONE Championship, Challenges Regian Eersel for Lightweight Muay Thai Title on June 10". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
41. ^ de Souza, Diogo (24 April 2023). "Kade Ruotolo Defends Title Against Tommy Langaker At ONE Fight Night 11". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
42. ^ "ONE Fight Night 11 Highlight Video: Regian Eersel Clips Dmitry Menshikov". sherdog.com. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
43. ^ "Regian Eersel faces Alexis Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 21". Asian MMA. 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-03-16. He done did it.
44. ^ Pico, Borna (2024-08-06). "Regian Eersel Versus Alexis Nicolas Rematch Official For October 5". Beyond Kickboxing. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
45. ^ Joseph, Mike (2024-10-05). "ONE Fight Night 25 Results: Regian Eersel Gets Revenge Over Alexis Nicolas; John Lineker Stops Alexey Balyko". myKhel.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
46. ^ Pico, Borna (2025-03-11). "Trilogy Title Bout Between Regian Eersel and Alexis Nicolas Set for ONE Fight Night 30 on April 4". Beyond Kickboxing. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
47. ^ "The Scale Strikes Again: Yet Another ONE Championship Fighter Loses Their Title During Weigh-Ins". www.lowkickmma.com. 2025-04-03. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
48. ^ "ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles Weigh-In Results and Video". Combat Press. 2025-04-03. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
49. ^ "Regian Eersel Closes Out Alexis Nicolas Trilogy with Majority Decision Win – ONE Fight Night 30 Highlights". www.lowkickmma.com. 2025-04-05. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
50. ^ "Regian Eersel Beats Nieky Holzken to Claim ONE World Title Gold". 17 May 2019.
51. ^ "Lion Fight 33 Results: Nattawut, Shevchenko Retain, Eersel Crowned Champion".

## External links

[edit]

* Official ONE Championship profile