’ career has taken a seismic💞 upward shift in 2024, as he went from a ONE Championship debutant to the top lightweight kickboxer on the planet in a matter of months.
Nicolas ended ’s dominant reign to claim the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title back in April, and he will defend the belt agඣainst Eersel in a highly anticipated rematch at in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 4.
The undefeated Frenchman’♛s rise to the top might have surprღised fans, but he has put years into his craft to reach these great heights and achieve success.
Here, we break down ꦡthe 26-year-old’s game ahead of his first World Title defense at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
A Simple Formula
Nicolas uses a simple formula that works w💃ell without overcomplicating his offense.
Although he spent most of his earlier yဣears in savate 🐼– a French martial art that has a reputation for flashy kicks – “Barboza” took to the professional kickboxing rule set instantly and looks like a veteran only two years later.
The Mahmoudi Gym representative bases his attacks mostly on punches and l💮ow kicks, more akin to what is known as the Dutc𒉰h style.
While he can intersperse other techniques, they are less frequent, which can make them more unexpected and 🦄effective when he does t💦ry to launch flying knees or spinning kicks.
Heavy Low Kicks
Low kicks are one of Nicolas’ most effective weapons, which again shows his adaptability from savate, in which only the foot is allowed 🧸to make contact.
Now, the Frenchman chops his opponents downꦆ with his shins at full power, often employing them early and often to lay his foundations.
This was the case in both of his ONE wins ov🍸er and Eersel, as his first-round bludgeonings of their lead legs set him off to strong starts.
Those strikes can hinder any aไttempts to close the distance and rack up damage for the later rounds.
As those rivals become more wary of his𝓡 low kicks, “Barboza” switches up well to the body and occasionally the head, while also bringing in his heavier boxing combina🌊tions.
A Concussive Right Hand
Ni✃colas throws heavy hands, but his biggest tool is a s♚traight right that he relies upon to do most of the damage.
He’s not a pr🍨olific jabber, but he will set up a long right behind it or simply lead with the power hand to the head. It is a concussive strike that has knocked out several opponents and even produced a key knockdown of Eersel.
The power of the punch forces big reactions 🐟from his foes, which can then open up Nicolas’ left hooks to the boღdy or head.
It only takes one right hand to change the course of a fight, and “Barboza” knows𓆏 he always has that in his locker.
A Threat Under Fire
Staying long with straight punches and k�ಞ�icks is Nicolas’ wheelhouse, but he’s also comfortable under fire and inside the pocket. If his opponents press, he can stand his ground to counter and won’t be bullied in close.
By planti🐷ng his feet and swinging hard, the Frenchman poses a🥂 dangerous threat that means his adversaries can’t attack with impunity.
When Eersel tried to build up some momentum and press in their first meeting, “Barboza” welcome🀅d him in with a crunching right hand🅰 that put him on the canvas.
Unbroken Confidence
Technique and attribꦫutes are crucial, but they are fortified by a fighter who truly believes in his ability to win.
At 24-0 in his professional career, Nic🧜olas only knows success, and this will allow him to fight confidently with a belief in his own skill set.
He was the underdog in his first matchup with Eersel but didn’t let that f🐬aze him, earning a hard-fought decision over five rounds.
Now that he’s shown he can defeat “The Immortal” when few expec𓆏ted he could, Nicolas will surely enter the rematch with even more conviction in his ability to retain the gol🍎d.
