ONE Championship has shuffled the deck for ONE 170 on Friday, January 24. ONE Flyweight Kickboxing and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 has been removed from his bantamweight title defense following a knee injury. However, interim gold will be on the line.
Carrillo Battles Anane for Interim Bantamweight Supremacy in ONE 170
#2-ranked contender Nico Carrillo will remain on the card and in the title match. With Superlek’s exit, rising Thai sensation Nabil Anane has slid into the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title showdown. The all-action title tilt is sure to deliver hard-hitting action once the bell rings.
Looking at Nabil Anane Before ONE 170 on Jan. 24
Anane debuted in June 2023 against Superlek but was quickly given a rude welcome to the organization. The young gun used that experience against the pound-for-pound king to return and has picked up five consecutive victories on the global stage. With an unexpected opportunity for a shot at gold, Anane is ready to ride the wave and secure a rematch against “The Kicking Machine.”
BREAKING 👑 With Superlek sidelined due to a knee injury, Nico Carrillo takes on Nabil Anane for the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 170! The winner will face Superlek in a unification World Title bout at ONE 172 in Japan 🇯🇵
We wish Superlek all the best in… pic.twitter.com/jPUt4XVIBF
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 30, 2024
However, the 20-year-old will face one of the most fearsome strikers in all combat sports. Carrillo has been nearly untouchable since joining ONE, with four knockouts in four fights. “The King of the North” is ready to claim his throne.
Sizing Up Nico Carrillo Ahead of ONE 170
After an impactful debut against Furkan Karabag in April 2023, Carrillo became an unstoppable force. Carrillo followed up that performance by stopping fan-favorite Muangthai PK Saenchai. To ensure his status among the elite, Carrillo then dominated and finished Thai icons Nong-O Hama and Saemapetch Fairtex.
The gold will be on the line, but the unification bout already has a date. Announced alongside the bout was that the winner will meet Superlek at ONE 172 in Japan on Sunday, March 23.
The new bantamweight title tilt has all of the makings of an instant classic, and with Superlek awaiting the winner, there is no more vital collision to kick off the new year in a red-hot bantamweight division.
ONE 170 airs live on Friday, January 20, at 6 a.m. EST/3 a.m. EST. The event emanates from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Stay tuned to MMASucka.com for more ONE 170 event coverage.
