Rushing straight into a rematch was never part of the plan. One English challenger spent a year rebuilding, and his road back ran through two men who had already tested the titleholder.
George Jarvis challenges Regian “The Immortal” Eersel for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle 33 on Friday, October 2. The rematch airs from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Their first meeting ended in a first-round knockout last August. The 26-year-old answered with a dominant decision over Sinsamut “Aquaman” Klinmee, who had twice challenged Eersel for Muay Thai gold.
He followed that by knocking out Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong, who went five hard rounds with Eersel in a ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title clash earlier this year.
“This is actually what I wanted. I would never have wanted to come straight back and fight Regian after he beat me because physically and mentally, I needed to rebuild. I needed to put my new style to the test,” Jarvis said.
“But I’ve come back, I’ve beaten Sinsamut in good fashion, I’ve knocked out someone who went five rounds with Regian, and now I feel ready.”
George Jarvis spots an opening in Eersel’s style
Eersel owns a 14-1 promotional record and currently rules ONE’s lightweight Muay Thai and kickboxing divisions.
Jarvis respects that resume, but he believes their contrasting backgrounds could shape the rematch. In his view, the reigning two-sport king remains a kickboxer at heart rather than a traditional Muay Thai stylist.
“I’ve got a big target on Regian, but I’ve got respect for him as a champion. In my opinion, he’s still the pound-for-pound number one inside ONE Championship. He’s done everything that people can only dream of doing. He’s got all these belts in kickboxing and Muay Thai. He’s lost and come back and shown his level,” Jarvis said.
“He’s got a good style. He can fight kickboxing, he’s good with his hands, he can score with kicks, he can clinch. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that he is a kickboxer. He’s not a Muay Thai fighter in terms of having that traditional style.”
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