Scottish knockout artist Nico Carrillo is fully focused on getting his shot at the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world championship in the near future. And should he pick up another win this weekend, he feels he’s on the cusp of world title glory.
Carrillo meets Muay Thai superstar Saemapatch Fairtex in a pivotal divisional tie this Saturday, July 6 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
The top-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender knows he’s on the run of a lifetime right now and that the ramifications of victory could be tremendous. So, he’s refusing to overlook the capabilities of his #4-ranked foe.
“I know I have a serious contender in front of me. I don’t overlook him in any way. He’s up there as one of the hardest hitters in the division,” Carrillo said.
“But I’m at a stage in my career where I haven’t been beaten in a long time, and I’m very confident in my ability that I can handle anything in my fights.
“I’m only getting better with age. I’m like a fine wine.”
“King of the North” has scored a knockout in every single one of his three outings in ONE Championship so far, leaving him understandably confident.
He kicked off his tenure with a third-round thwarting of Furkan Karabag at ONE Fight Night 13 in March 2023 and then moved on to take out a renowned striker in “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai PK Saenchai at ONE Friday Fights 22 in June last year.
To triple his fortune, the Scottish powerhouse scored his biggest victory to date in his latest performance at ONE Friday Fights 46 last December. He came from behind to finish former longtime bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Hama in the second frame and nab the #1 spot in the division.
Should he overcome the legendary Saemapetch at ONE Fight Night 23 this weekend, Carrillo believes there should be no doubt that he deserves a chance to take on the winner of the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title tilt between titleholder Jonathan Haggerty and ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 that is scheduled for ONE 168: Denver in September.
“At this point, I feel like I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m the most hard-working. All I need is for ONE to make the right matchups, put me on the platform, and let me prove it because I have done that so far, every single time,” he said.
“When I beat Saemapetch and you look at my resume and see I’ve beaten fighters like him, Nong-O, Seksan, and others, the only thing that says I’m not the best in the world is a golden strap.
“It’s just a case of me holding my position. I beat Saemapetch and then I’m undeniable after that. I am certain that I should get the winner of Haggerty versus Superlek.”
