‘They All Crumble When They Face Me’ – Nico Carrillo Ready To Crush Saemapetch At ONE Fight Night 23
Nico “King of the North” Carrillo is confident he can crush Saemapetch Fairtex with his pressure at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs. Rasulov on Prime Video.
The #1-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender is riding an impressive run of form into his U.S. primetime clash on Friday, July 5, and he feels unstoppable in his quest to reach the top.
Carrillo knows his rival is no slouch – confirmed by Saemapetch’s #4 spot in the rankings – but he doesn’t see anything other than an emphatic finish when they clash at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
With three straight knockout wins in the world’s largest martial arts organization, including his latest victory over the division’s most legendary figure in Nong-O Hama, “King of the North” has every right to that self-belief.
The 25-year-old told onefc.com:
“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.
“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.”
Saemapetch is a stalwart of ONE’s bantamweight ranks. The Thai favorite has challenged for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title and amassed nine wins in the promotion.
However, he’s also tasted defeat five times, and it’s in those losses that Carrillo sees the Fairtex athlete’s kryptonite – and he plans on exposing his Thai rival.
“When he’s the aggressor, he’s awesome. But when he’s pressured, he crumbles. They all crumble when they face me. Saemapetch will, just like everyone else. They all fall. Nobody has survived me yet.
“A knockout is coming. It will be calculated and it will come. I will find it. I always do.”
Carrillo Wants To Be ‘Undeniable’ For World Title Shot
Following his KO win over Nong-O Hama last December, Nico Carrillo looked like he could be next in line to face Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
However, a hand injury sidelined the Scot, and two-division king Haggerty went on to successfully defend against Felipe “Demolition Man” Lobo in February instead.
Carrillo is still determined to face “The General,” and he believes the Londoner is wary of what could happen if they ever stand across the ring from one another.
Sizing up his potential rival, “King of the North” said:
“Haggerty knows I’m the hardest fight in this division. The reason he’s not saying my name is because he doesn’t want to build a fight with me. He knows it will be the end of him. That’s the honest truth.
“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.”
Haggerty’s next outing will be a World Title defense against “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 168: Denver in September, and although Carrillo would love to take on “The General,” he is happy to face either man for the strap.
With a win over Saemapetch Fairtex, “King of the North” thinks that a shot at gold is the only possible move, and he’s ready to prove that he’s not just the #1-ranked contender, but the best in the world.
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 really undeniable after that. I am certain that I should get the winner of Haggerty versus Superlek.”
