"I can't lie" - Nico Carrillo won't pretend that Nabil Anane's height and sheer size isn't a cause for concern

The short-notice opponent change was not an issue for the number two-ranked ONE bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carrillo in his upcoming fight on Jan. 24 at ONE 170 inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Carrillo was initially scheduled to fight the division's king, Superlek Kiatmoo9, but he withdrew from the card due to an injury. Then, the world's largest martial arts organization pitted him against the number five-rated contender, Nabil Anane, for the ONE interim bantamweight Muay Thai world title.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated in a recent interview, 'The King of the North' reiterated that he is always to face anybody, but Anane's physique is something that he is more concerned about, as he said:

"I was already ready to fight, obviously tweaks to the game plan, but I can't lie that fighting people his kind of body size and height hasn't been so easy."

The Thai-Algerian rising star stands at 6-foot-4 with a lengthy reach and leg reach, which would definitely present Carrillo with problems on fight night.

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Nico Carrillo eyes an incredible finish against Nabil Anane at ONE 170 for the interim gold

The Daechkalek Muay Thai Academy representative is not only looking to capture the ONE interim title in just a subpar performance on fight night, but he aims a vicious finish against his 20-year-old opponent, much like what he did to his four previous opponents under the ONE banner.

Carrillo expressed this desire in a recent interview, where he proclaimed:

"[Fans] can expect a vicious knockout [at ONE 170]. I put my neck out there on the line, and I sat that every time, but I've not been wrong yet. And I don't intend on being wrong this time."

ONE 170 will be available via watch.onefc.com. The blockbuster event will take place on Friday, January 24, inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.