"I need to fight for the gold now" - Top-ranked Nico Carrillo says statement finish over Saemapetch erases all doubts

As much as Nico Carrillo would like a quick turnaround fight in the aftermath of ONE Fight Night 23, he's exercising logic over emotion this time around.

'King of the North' kept his stronghold on the top spot in the stacked bantamweight Muay Thai rankings by sending Saemapetch Fairtex to the shadow realm last weekend at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

That said, Carrillo has erased all doubts about the legitimacy of his claim as the division's no.1 contender.

But before he gets his turn, the Scottish brawler must first await the outcome of reigning bantamweight Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty's world title defense against Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 168: Denver this coming September.

In his ONE Fight Night 23 post-event interview with the South China Morning Post, Carrillo says he has paid his dues and won't settle for anything but a shot at 26 pounds of gold for his next bout:

"I'm not gonna see another fight because because it's dangerous for me and my number one spot after defending my number one spot. I need to fight for the gold now."

Nico Carrillo has laid waste to all four of his opponents in the home of martial arts via vicious finishes.

Only time will tell if Carrillo is indeed next in line for the winner of Haggerty vs Superlek.

Watch Carrillo's SCMP MMA interview:

Nico Carrillo wants in on ONE 169: Atlanta

If he gets his way, Nico Carrillo wants to participate in the promotion's highly-anticipated November 8 show, ONE 169: Atlanta at State Farm Arena.

'King of the North' said in the same interview:

"I would like to fight in October, November, December. If available, November. I'd love to [fight in Atlanta], absolutely."

The replay of ONE Fight Night 23 is available free on demand for Prime Video subscribers in North America.

Tickets for ONE 169: Atlanta is available via Ticketmaster.