Nieky Holzken is already a certified legend in the world of kickboxing, but that does not mean he is done building his legacy. The Dutchman returns to the ring at ONE Fight Night 11 against Arian Sadikovic on June 9.
"The Natural" will return to the kickboxing world after a stunning upset KO loss to Sinsamut Klinmee at ONE X last year. After accepting the dangerous bout on short notice, Holzken is ready to put it behind him and return in a big way against another heavy-handed adversary.
But although he sees the danger, Holzken still believes he carries the better overall skill set into Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
"I've seen him compete around on different shows and a few times now in ONE. I like this guy and his kind of style. He comes forward a lot, and I'm sharp with my boxing also," Holzken told ONE Championship.
"I think I'm a better all-round fighter. I can do everything. He's good with boxing, and he has one good knee. I have everything in my arsenal. I have low kicks, spinning back kicks. I have jumping knees, high knees - everything. And my boxing is on point always."
While some doubters may look at his age and think he is on the backside of his career, Holzken finds motivation to prove them wrong. As a dedicated professional athlete, "The Natural" has cared for his body and still feels quick and strong.
"For me, age is just a number. I don't feel 39. I don't train like I'm 39. I train like I did when I was 25. I only have to keep in mind that I have to recover more, eat more, and rest," the Dutch striker stated.
"I'm going to win, and people are going to see that I don't fight like somebody who's 39. I always say I am going to do something in my career that nobody ever has done in the kickboxing world."
Holzken aims to make one more run at the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship. It will add another piece to a lasting legacy, which is what "The Natural" truly cares about.
"I don't come for money fights. I come for my legacy and to win. I know I have a good name in the kickboxing world, but I want to be champion again. I want to stop when I'm champion. That's my goal. And I'll do everything to get there," Holzken said.
If he is to get that opportunity, it could be the fight he wants the most — another rematch with Regian Eersel.
However, "The Immortal" has his own tough test at ONE Fight Night 11 as the Surinamese striker defends the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title against Dmitry Menshikov. But for Holzken, it's a match he wants, with or without gold on the line.
"I want to rematch Regian Eersel so, so much … even if he's not the champion, because I think that was a very close fight. They gave him the unanimous decision, but I think in the second round, when I hit him with the knee in the liver, it was a clear knockout," "The Immortal" said.
"He came back, he knocked me down with a knee, and I came back in the last round. He also said in the interview said that was the hardest round of his career. It was before the Sadikovic fight because that was also a very tough fight for him. It didn't fall my way. But my goal is to beat him one day."
The first building block to get that chance at redemption begins with Sadikovic on June 9.
ONE Fight Night 11 airs live on June 9 on Prime Video. The event begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is free for all Amazon Prime members in the U.S. and Canada
