Nico Carrillo of Scotland has solidified his top ranking in the bantamweight Muay Thai division with a decisive TKO victory over Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 23 in Bangkok. Known as the ‘King of the North,’ Carrillo dominated from the start, overwhelming Saemapetch with a series of knees and punches that led to three knockdowns and a victory.
This win not only reinforced Carrillo’s position but also earned him a substantial $50,000 performance bonus. Looking ahead, Carrillo has set his sights on the upcoming world title bout between Jonathan Haggerty and Superlek Kiatmuu9, declaring his intention to challenge the victor for the championship.
In other highlights from the event, Alibeg Rasulov made a significant impact in his promotional debut by defeating former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Ok Rae Yoon in a tough five-round match. Despite not being eligible for the title, Rasulov’s performance did not go unnoticed.
Additionally, British Muay Thai fighter Ellis Badr Barboza secured a split-decision win over Aliff Sor Dechapan, thanks to a critical knockdown in the second round. Barboza’s resilience shone through in the final round, ensuring his victory in a closely contested battle.