Akram Hamidi Drops To Atomweight Convinced He Has Finally Found His Real Home
For years, Akram “La Pepite” Hamidi competed at a weight that never quite suited him. Now the French-Algerian star believes he has found the division where his speed can truly shine.
The three-time ISKA Kickboxing World Champion makes his atomweight Muay Thai debut against former ONE World Title challenger Numsurin Chor Ketwina in the main event of The Inner Circle 36 on Friday, October 30. The card airs live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium for members at live.onefc.com.
The 27-year-old holds a 55-6 record and has shared the ring with former two-sport ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao and reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai Pongsuphan PK. Dropping down, he says, finally feels right.
“I think this is my real weight class. Before, I fought at 57 kilograms, and it was a little too heavy for me. Atomweight is my real weight class, and I feel good,” Hamidi said.
After a knockout loss to Sam-A in September 2024, the Team Valente representative stepped away from competition. He returned against Watcharaphon Laochokcharoen at ONE Friday Fights 164 in July, survived an early knockdown from a left hook, and answered immediately on the way to victory.
That comeback restored his rhythm. Hamidi even suspects a sharper version of himself would have finished the job.
“It was a comeback fight, and I won. I think if I hadn’t taken such a long break, I could have knocked him out,” Hamidi said.
“But it was a good fight for my return. I felt good, and it helped give me more confidence for my next fight.”
Numsurin represents a serious first test in the new division. The 31-year-old Thai went 6-0 on ONE’s weekly series to earn his contract, took reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari the distance at ONE 173, and beat Songchainoi Kiatsongrit in June.
Hamidi respects that resume completely. His ambitions, however, already stretch past Friday night.
“First, I’m focused on this fight. Then I’m going to snatch the title from Nadaka,” he said.
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