“I am coming for gold” - Knockout machine Nico Carrillo out to prove critics wrong in interim world title opportunity at ONE 170

The next time Nico Carrillo steps inside the Circle won't just be for a world title. The Scottish knockout monster will face the surging Nabil Anane for the ONE interim bantamweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 170, but he maintained that winning the strap is just half the battle.

Taking to Instagram, Carrillo said he's also on a mission to silence his doubters when he takes a shot at the interim belt on Jan. 24 at Impact Arena.

Nico Carrillo posted:

"It is easy to criticize and break down the spirit of others, but to know yourself takes a lifetime. I am coming for gold and will not leave empty-handed. #ONE170 @onechampionship."

Carrillo is one of the larger bantamweight contenders in ONE Championship, and the 5-foot-10 slugger has often been called a bully during fights.

Nevertheless, 'King of the North' proved time and again that he's an unstoppable force every step of the way.

Carrillo is a perfect 4-0 in his ONE Championship tenure, with all four of his wins coming by devastating knockout.

The 26-year-old knocked out Furkan Karabag, Muanthai PK Saenchai, Thai legend and former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama, and Saemapetch Fairtex in his march to the gold.

Standing in Carrillo's way to the interim throne is an equally impressive Anane, who stands six inches taller than him.

The 6-foot-4 Anane has been on a rampage since losing on his promotional debut against ONE flyweight kickboxing and bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9.

Anane is on a dominant five-fight winning streak, having defeated Nakrob Fairtex, Muangthai, Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai, Felipe Lobo, and Soe Lin Oo.

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Nico Carrillo not letting Superlek off his sights ahead of ONE 170

While he's set to face Nabil Anane at ONE 170, Nico Carrillo isn't letting Superlek Kiatmoo9 off his crosshairs.

Carrillo was supposed to challenge Superlek for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 170, but 'The Kicking Machine' pulled out of the card after suffering an injury in training.

In a previous Instagram post, Carrillo wrote:

"The graft continues, 25 days, and new, and then undisputed 👑."

Superlek would instead face the winner between Carrillo and Anane for a world title unification fight at ONE 172 on March 23 at the historic Saitama Super Arena.