Nico Carrillo was on his way to the top of the bantamweight division. However, Nabil Anane torpedoed his rise in ONE Championship with a knockout at ONE 170.
The Scot has had time to reflect on that loss before his April 4 return at ONE Fight Night 30.
“I was devastated. I’d never wanted the clocks to turn back so much. The one thing I wanted to do in life at that point was turn the clocks back, and I knew I couldn’t. It broke my heart. I’ve never been as heartbroken as I was that night. I’d have taken a family member dying much easier than I took that defeat, but it’s now a reminder of what can happen in this game,” Nico Carrillo admitted to ONE.
Kicks that crush
Can Nico Carrillo bring this intensity into battle against Sitthichai at ONE Fight Night 30 on @primevideo? @SportsonPrime
#ONEFightNight30 | Apr 4 at 8PM ETWatch Live on Prime
Watch Live on Sky Sports
Live TV broadcast in 190+… pic.twitter.com/YhJGfBA0GU
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) March 27, 2025
Nico Carrillo Goes Back to Drawing Board
When he returned home, he quickly realized he did not have the training partners necessary to elevate his game. Even his coach would spend large portions of time in Thailand. The withdrawals only served to stoke the flames of passion for the “art of eight limbs” for Nico Carrillo.
“For a few weeks, I was pulling my hair out waiting for news. I can’t just disappear to Thailand. I have responsibilities here. It just made me realize that training and fighting Muay Thai is the only thing that makes me happy. It’s all that has mattered to me since that day. I’m dying to right that wrong,” the newly minted featherweight remarked.
Nico Carrillo Moves Up to Featherweight for Sitthichai Tilt
Nico Carrillo says that he has taken the lessons from his loss and learned from them. In his featherweight debut against Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, he plans to show the full breadth of what he can do inside the ring. Most importantly, he will enter fully healthy and not depleted trying to make a lighter weight class.
“I’ve gone back to how I used to fight, engaging in the full powers of Muay Thai with my heavy kicks instead of just boxing with [4-ounce] MMA gloves on. But the biggest lesson was to listen to your body and never put it under that stress again versus people at the highest level,” Nico Carrillo stated.
Nico Carrillo Ready to Display Full Arsenal on Friday
While still seeking a KO finish, “The King of the North” wants to utilize all of his weapons. Carrillo understands this matchup could instantly thrust him into the thick of the featherweight hunt. In one of the most stacked divisions in the sport, he is hoping to shine right away against a familiar name.
“I’m going to be more composed. I’ll be a bull in a china shop if the opportunity presents itself – that’s just killer instinct. That’s deep within me. But I will try to be tidier by setting up things with kicks and using my full range of tools,” Nico Carrillo said.
ONE Fight Night 30 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, April 4. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is free for all U.S. and Canadian Amazon Prime subscribers.
