Muay Thai Star Nico Carrillo Recaps His ‘Great Year,’ Plans To ‘Light Up The World’ In 2025
Nico “King of the North” Carrillo is living his dream in ONE Championship, and 2024 was no different.
After rattling off three straight knockout victories to begin his promotional tenure in 2023, the Scottish warrior continued his meteoric rise up the bantamweight Muay Thai ranks with a highlight-reel stoppage of former ONE World Title challenger and decorated Thai veteran Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 23 this past July.
That remarkable run earned Carrillo the #2 spot in the bantamweight Muay Thai rankings and, most importantly, secured him a shot at the division’s reigning titleholder, Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9, at ONE 170 on January 24, 2025.
The 26-year-old sensation is quick to admit that his bonus-winning performance against Saemapetch was his most unforgettable career highlight of 2024.
However, when he wasn’t throwing down at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, he was enjoying life to the fullest and creating memories that will last forever.
Carrillo told onefc.com:
“My favorite moment in the ring was knocking out Saemapetch and getting the US$50,000 bonus.
“Outside of the ring, just life. Life has been great this year. I’ve been meeting new people, holding seminars, spending time with my fiancee, taking trips away, [and going on] holidays. It’s just been a good year.”
As a bona fide superstar and one of the most dangerous Muay Thai contenders the sport has seen in recent years, it’s no surprise that Carrillo has been a sought-after instructor around the globe.
In addition to traveling the planet to teach seminars, “King of the North” has put his bonus money and fight purses to good use, as he vacationed in Europe, Asia, and North America.
The Scotsman explained:
“This year, we’ve been to every city in Canada, Vegas, across California, Palm Springs, and then came and took my dog on holiday in the north of Scotland for a week. Then we went to Italy a few times, Thailand for a month to fight, Bali, and Florida for a month. It’s been a great year of traveling and enjoying the world!”
Now, Carrillo is finally enjoying the fruits of his labor and bringing his master plan to life.
Before he was testing his skills in the world’s largest martial arts organization, he dreamed of competing on the global stage and becoming an internationally recognized fighter. And as each month passes, the more he is fulfilling his long-term goal.
Carrillo added:
“This is why I signed with ONE. I told my fiancee, before ONE even knew who I was, that I was going to be the biggest star in the organization. I’ve always had that vision.”
Nico Carrillo Targets Two-Division Gold Moving Forward
Nico Carrillo had a great year, but he has even bigger hopes for 2025.
“King of the North” is proud to have earned a crack at the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship, but he has no intention of stopping there.
He said:
“So now that I’m fighting for the title, it’s a little moment to pat myself on the back for getting this far. But I don’t like to think that way because I’m relentless. I always want what’s next. I’m very proud of what I’ve done, but I won’t sit back until I’ve got the title.”
Carrillo aims to take out Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 170, then tie the knot with his fiancee and enjoy a moment of rest.
After that, the Scotsman will be aiming for two-division glory. As one of the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s biggest and most physically imposing athletes, he believes that a move up to the featherweight ranks is in his future.
Once he does that, “King of the North” believes he’s the man to put an end to ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai’s reign of terror. Coincidentally, the Thai is set to defend his belt against ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon in the main event of ONE 170.
Carrillo said:
“My goals for 2025 are to beat Superlek, get a nice check, get married, have a great honeymoon, and then get back to action.
“As far as fighting goes, I want to get back and defend the gold, but I also have aspirations to move up and challenge Tawanchai for his featherweight gold, too. I think everyone would love to see that fight. I’m the right size for Tawanchai. I think I’m close already. So, a couple of [title] defenses and I think we could light up the world with that fight.”
