Mohamed Touizi said he is confident he has the measure of Ricardo Hilario ahead of their bout for the K1 continental flyweight belt in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Touizi will represent the UAE as he takes on the Portuguese on a stacked K1 Pro Night at Space 42 Arena.
The sixth edition of the event consists of 30 bouts that has drawn fighters across 24 countries with the headline contest being the World Super middleweight title contest between Serbian Nikola Todorovic and Jordi Requejo Coronado of Spain.
Touizi, 25, is a Muaythai world champion and believes the skills he has honed lend themselves perfectly in his pursuit of kickboxing glory.
“It’s two different combat sports with some similarities. I train and compete in both and looking forward to winning the continental belt for the UAE,” Touizi told The National.
“I have been on the world stage in Muaythai and to be in the intercontinental title fight is a big step up for me in kick boxing. Obviously I’m fully prepared and focused for Saturday."
Touizi, who won gold at the IFMA U23 Muaythai Worlds in Abu Dhabi in 2022, met Hilario last year at the World Association of Kickboxing Organisation (Wako) championship in Portugal, although not in the ring as they were both eliminated in the early rounds of that competition.
“We have seen each other in action,” Touizi said. “I have a fair idea of Ricardo's style but a lot may have changed in one year. Like me, I guess he too must have progressed up the ladder to meet me in a title fight. But I’m quite confident in taking him on.”
The youngest in a family of six, Touizi was a very active child, prompting his parents to enroll him in a karate school to help him expend his energy. He turned professional three years ago and has continued his journey full time in combat sports.
“I stopped enjoying karate and moved to Muaythai and kickboxing when I was around 13. Here, I got hooked to the two martial art sports, which I love it to this day,” he said.
“I participated in the Wako events to reach the top 10 and now I’m in the top three going into the intercontinental belt [match]. So, I’m really happy of my decision to pursue fulltime in the sport that I love.”
Touizi also has a business management degree which he said would be useful in the years to come.
“Right now, I’m not thinking of doing any other job, except to remain a professional fighter. I’m not looking too far but enjoying what I’m doing right now and doing the best for the UAE in the sport.
“When you enjoy what I do and earn a decent income, that’s good enough for me. Combat sports has grown and is still growing with big money to earn like in boxing and MMA, but I’m happy in the martial art sports I do with some success.
“If I have to crossover to MMA, I need to learn a few more martial arts like jiu-jitsu and grappling. That will take another two years and I feel it’s too late for me,” he said when asked if a switch to mixed martial arts was on his radar.
“My lifestyle has changed since turning a pro fighter. I’m more disciplined in my work ethics, eating habits, mental and physical health and so on. The intercontinental belt can do a world of good for me to continue my journey and bring honour to the UAE.”
