Scotland`s Nico Carrillo is set to challenge Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE Championship bantamweight Muay Thai world title.
Carrillo will face Superlek, widely considered one of the world`s best pound-for-pound strikers, on January 24 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, as part of the ONE 170 event.
This highly anticipated title bout features a clash between two of ONE Championship`s most devastating finishers.
The hard-hitting Scotsman, Carrillo, boasts a perfect record in the promotion, having won all his fights by stoppage.
Muay Thai legend Superlek will be making his initial title defense. He spectacularly claimed the belt with a first-round elbow knockout against UK star Jonathan Haggerty in September.
That brutal finish was a highlight in a remarkable year for Superlek, who had moved up in weight.
Known as `The Kicking Machine,` Superlek also demonstrated his formidable leg strikes in a memorable kickboxing clash against Japanese star Takeru earlier in 2024.
Carrillo, however, stands as the division`s No. 1 contender and has actively pursued the bantamweight Muay Thai world title holder.
The Glasgow native, nicknamed `King of the North,` has clearly set his sights on capturing this championship.
“Everything I`ve stated, I`ve accomplished,” Carrillo previously commented. “I take risks by making bold predictions about my fights, but so far, I`ve always delivered.”
“I possess a deep conviction in my abilities,” he added. “I consistently prove myself right.”
His perfect record in ONE Championship, with all four wins coming by knockout, clearly demonstrates this confidence. “I understand what ONE fans want – violence – so I adapted my style accordingly,” he explained.
He praised ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong`s decision to use 4oz gloves: “It was a brilliant idea… It makes the fights significantly more entertaining and violent.”
“Switching to ONE Championship felt almost like learning a new sport. Previously, you could absorb strikes on the larger gloves, but with ONE`s smaller gloves, every impact is felt. There`s very little margin for error.”
“Even a simple jab can lead to a knockout; any momentary lapse in focus can be devastating.”
Carrillo sees himself as a man on a mission.
“My aspirations extend beyond just fighting,” he stated. “I aim to inspire the next generation and other individuals. I grew up in a challenging area with humble beginnings. I want to show that you don`t need to start with everything to achieve great things.”
“You have the power to choose your own path.”
