ONE Championship

Nico Carrillo has been elevated from interim titleholder to undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion after Tawanchai PK Saenchai officially vacated the title to continue rehabbing a serious leg injury. Carrillo now returns to action against Chinese newcomer Zhou Jiaqiang in a kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 46 on Friday, August 14. The fight broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Prime Video from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Tawanchai claimed the crown at ONE 161 in 2022, edging out Petchmorakot in a five-round war. His reign included statement wins over Jamal Yusupov and two victories over Superbon. That built a 10-3 record as one of the division’s most dominant champions.

Carrillo earned his own opportunity the hard way. He carried a 29-4 record into his interim title shot before outworking Shadow Mavinn across five rounds at ONE Fight Night 40 in February to capture the belt.

“It’s about time,” Carrillo said. “Tawanchai broke his leg a couple of months before Shadow, and I fought for the interim belt, which, in my opinion, should have been made for the undisputed belt anyway.

“Honestly, for me, I became undisputed that night when I defeated Shadow.”

Nico Carrillo targets a lasting legacy

Stepping into a new discipline immediately after inheriting undisputed gold is a bold call, but it fits a fighter who has built his career on seeking out the toughest available tests. Carrillo has scored knockouts in six of his seven promotional victories, including a finish of former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama.

A win over Zhou would put Nico Carrillo on course to chase two-sport World Champion status, adding kickboxing hardware to a featherweight Muay Thai throne he now holds outright. He has already outlined an ambitious title-defense calendar for the months beyond August.

“First things first, when I get this kickboxing fight out the way, I want to defend my belt in November,” he said. “Then, hopefully defend my belt in February or March next year, too. Maybe I’ll even eye an MMA debut in April or May next year.”

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