Nico Carrillo Believes Victory Over Nong-O Will Lead Him To Haggerty

Since signing with ONE Championship, bantamweight Muay Thai star Nico Carrillo has had the World Title on his mind, and he believes this Friday’s collision with former divisional king Nong-O Hama will be pivotal in getting him there.

“King of the North” meets the Thai striking legend on 22nd December at ONE Friday Fights 46: Tawanchai vs. Superbon inside the Mecca of Muay Thai, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, in Bangkok, Thailand.

The significance of taking on Nong-O isn’t lost on Carrillo, as he has long admired his handiwork. But the Scottish slugger believes there’s no better time to clash with him since he lost the World Title to Jonathan Haggerty in his last bout in April.

“I was, obviously, absolutely buzzing when they came to me with Nong-O; I thought they would maybe give me Saemapetch or Lobo first. That fight, then maybe another fight before the title fight, but I obviously jumped on the opportunity to fight Nong-O,” he said.

“Especially after him coming off such a bad knockout at his age, I just don’t feel like he can recover from that so well, so it’s probably the best time to fight him; then it’s off to be champion next year.”

He may only be 25 years old and have 29 professional bouts under his belt, but Carrillo’s heavy hands have allowed him to rise through the ranks rapidly. 

He has finished Furkan Karabag and Muangthai PK Saenchai to amass a perfect run in ONE, but beating Nong-O would make him an undeniable threat to the World Title.

Carrillo believes victory this Friday would enter his name into the conversation of best non-Thai Muay Thai fighters of all time, which he says will lead him to Jonathan Haggerty in 2024.

“I’m younger, I’m hungrier. Nong-O has already had it all. He’s already had the belts, the riches, the fame. I believe it’s just time for him to pass the torch to a younger, hungrier person more deserving of the title shot,” Carrillo said.

“Obviously, beating Nong-O would put me down arguably as one of the best foreign Muay Thai fighters ever, apart from Haggerty, which is also in my mind. Then it’s off to him to prove who the best ever foreign Muay Thai fighter is in history. 

“Is it me, or is it Haggerty? I’m not looking past Nong-O because I know I’ve got a massive task at hand, but the day I signed with ONE Championship, I had gold on my mind.”