ONE Championship star and kickboxing legend Nieky Holzken is more interested in focusing on what is next for him than dwelling on what’s behind him.

‘The Natural’ is set to compete in a lightweight kickboxing battle with former ONE world title challenger Arian Sadikovic at ONE Fight Night 11 this Friday, June 9th, inside the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and he’s ready to make a splash in his return to his favored sport.

Holzken has competed in Muay Thai under the ONE banner, with his latest outing seeing him fall to a second-round knockout to debuting striking sensation Sinsamut Klinmee at ONE X in March 2022.

Though it was a devastating defeat, the 39-year-old admits it hardly affected his mindset. He asserts that he looked to get back into action directly after it, but injuries prevented him from competing right away. 

“I got over it very fast. I wanted to fight very quickly again. Then injuries came up. I had a broken finger after that fight from the small gloves. I know for myself that I hit very hard, and if I hit them on the skull, the small gloves, you really have to train for them,” Holzken told ONE Championship.  The Helmond native will be tested by a hard-hitting opponent in Sadikovic when he returns to his element this Friday.

Nieky Holzken has his eyes on the title

‘Game Over’ ran through competition in Europe before taking his talents to the home of Martial Arts in December 2021.  He defeated ISKA Kickboxing World Champion Mustapha Haida in his debut at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS and then took two-sport ONE world champion Regian Eersel to the judges’ table.

Holzken knows his German foe will be focused on returning to the winner’s column in style when they meet at ONE Fight Night 11, and he is determined to do the same. He has gold on his mind, and he fully intends to get it. 

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“If I win this fight, maybe a rematch with Sinsamut would be good. And if I win that fight, then whoever is champion at that moment, I want to compete for the title again,” he said.

Fans in North America can catch ONE Fight Night 11 live for free on Prime Video with an active Amazon subscription this Friday on U.S. primetime. 

Read More: “I Think He Will Bring the War to Me” – Regian Eersel Won’t Be Satisfied With Anything Except a Victory at ONE Fight Night 11