Nico Carrillo, aptly nicknamed "The King of the North," is poised to cement his legacy as one of the greatest in Muay Thai. On Friday, January 24, at ONE 170, the Scottish sensation stands on the brink of history as he takes center stage in Bangkok, Thailand, to battle for the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
After a jaw-dropping debut in ONE Championship, Carrillo is ready to seize the coveted 26 pounds of gold. But standing in his way is Nabil Anane, a formidable young talent riding a wave of momentum. This clash is not just a fight—it’s a showdown between two of the division’s most electrifying athletes.
Superlek Kiatmoo9’s withdrawal from the title bout due to injury may have opened the door for Carrillo, but he knows the challenge ahead is no walk in the park. Facing Anane, who boasts a five-fight winning streak, will demand every ounce of Carrillo’s skill and determination. Yet, the Scotsman is brimming with confidence.
“[Anane is] definitely a worthy challenger,” Carrillo acknowledged, respecting his opponent’s meteoric rise. “He’s on a crazy trajectory right now, beating everyone put in front of him in ONE Championship. But I’m going to knock him out.”
Anane’s towering frame and tactical brilliance have proven to be his secret weapons, but Carrillo is undeterred. While giving credit to his opponent’s natural gifts, Carrillo’s belief in his own ability remains steadfast.
“He’s good, but I don’t think he’d be as good as he is if he didn’t have his height advantage,” Carrillo said. “Nonetheless, he is good. I like him—he’s young, humble, hardworking, and hasn’t been handed anything. There’s nothing but respect from my side.”
But make no mistake—Carrillo isn’t entering the ring to admire his opponent’s skills. January 24 marks the next chapter in a relentless journey fueled by grit and ambition.
“This is inevitable. I will become king,” Carrillo declared, his determination echoing like a battle cry. “To be the undisputed champion, I’ve taken the hardest road. I fought the number one, defended my position, and now, I’ll claim what’s mine.”
When asked for his prediction, Carrillo left no room for doubt: “My prediction is violence.”
Victory at ONE 170 not only means a championship belt but also sets up a future showdown with Superlek at ONE 172 in Japan. Carrillo is hungry for that opportunity, and despite initial disappointment at Superlek’s withdrawal, he’s kept his focus razor-sharp.
“It was tough when I got the call [about Superlek]. But you have to find the positives in every situation,” Carrillo said. “Now I’m facing Nabil Anane, and I’ve prepared myself to adapt, overcome, and win. No matter the challenge, my outlook remains the same.”
As the hours tick down to fight night, Carrillo’s confidence is unshaken. A change in opponents hasn’t rattled his mindset—it’s only refined his strategy.
“With Anane’s height and unique style, we’ve adjusted our approach to replicate his body type as best as possible during training,” Carrillo explained. “But the result will be the same. A different fight, but the same outcome: me, with my hand raised and gold around my waist.”
This is not just a fight; it’s Carrillo’s coronation. “The King of the North” has spoken, and his mission is clear: to dominate, to inspire, and to rule.
Tune in to ONE 170 live and free on ONE Championship’s official YouTube channel at 6:30 a.m. EST/3:30 a.m. PST on Friday, January 24, to witness history in the making.