Despite winning consecutive matches against some of the biggest names in Muay Thai, Nico Carrillo insists he hasn’t reached his peak yet.
Carillo once again outdid the veteran, defeating Seymapetch Fairtex via second-round knockout in the co-main event of ONE on Prime Video 23. The Scottish fighter knocked Seymapetch down twice before scoring the final knockdown to secure the victory. Carillo initially struggled against Seymapetch’s unconventional defense, but admitted he was confident of victory if he made the necessary adjustments.
“There’s no surprise [at Saemapetch’s durability]”I think his tactics were a little bit weird,” Carrillo said in the post-fight press conference. “He had his head down when I came up to him, so my punches were less powerful and I had to readjust to that. It was a little bit weird, but after I readjusted, I knew for sure he wasn’t going to be able to land a punch.”
This marks Carillo’s second consecutive TKO victory over a Muay Thai star since knocking out former champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in December 2023. Carillo is aware that his meteoric rise to Muay Thai stardom has already been remarkable, but the 25-year-old insists his best is yet to come.
“Yes, I’m still improving. [even] “Even just this fight camp, I’m a new fighter,” he said. “Compared to seven months ago when I fought Nong-O, I’m a new fighter. It just shows how much I’ve grown.” [I’ve done] One fight camp. He was out for five or three months because of surgery. So he was back in about 10 weeks. He’s grown so much in six weeks, not 10 weeks. I don’t think he’s in his prime yet. I don’t think he’ll be in his prime until he’s 27 or 28. I think we’re still waiting to see the best of Nico. [to come]and I am like fine wine.”
With the win, Carillo is now in a strong position to face the winner of the bantamweight title bout between Jonathan Haggerty and Superlek at ONE Championship 168 in September. Carillo’s preference for Haggerty as his opponent is to dethrone the Briton.
“I want to fight Haggerty, not because he’s better or anything like that,” Carrillo said, “I just want to take the belt from him.”
