Anthony Njokuani was defeated by Regian Eersel in the second round of their kickboxing contest at ONE: Call to Greatness, but that’s a result Njokuani hopes to be overturned.
Speaking to The Body Lock after his bout in Singapore, Njokuani stated that “it was an elbow that dazed me,” in the finishing sequence of the fight.
Njokuani also explained that he feels ‘pissed’ about what occurred during the bout and plans to file an appeal.
In the opening minute of the second round, Eersel launched a combination of strikes at close range that appeared to begin with a right elbow to the chin of his opponent. The blow, whether grazing or not, seemingly had a major impact on Njokuani.
This bout was scheduled under ONE Championship’s kickboxing rule set and not the ONE Championship Muay Thai rule set. As such, elbows are illegal, and the fighters are not permitted to throw or grapple with their opponent.
Njokuani expressed his frustration on Instagram and Twitter after the fight and posted a video of the finish together with the caption:Â “I guess u have to throw illegal elbows to win the fight.”
It remains unknown how Njokuani plans to appeal the decision, but for now, he is merely hoping that ONE Championship ‘does the right thing.’
Regian Eersel (53-4) vanquishes Anthony Njokuani, clattering the UFC/WEC vet with a nasty elbow and follow-up in the second round! Lion Fight’s super middleweight champ improves to 2-0 in ONE’s Super Series. #CallToGreatness pic.twitter.com/JmYmweJQa6
— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) February 22, 2019