“I am next” - Nico Carrillo believes he’s destined for world title supremacy after clinical KO over Saemapetch in Bangkok

Nico Carrillo believes he now has an undeniable shot at gold. The marauding Scotsman secured another knockout finish when he battered Thai slugger Saemapetch Fairtex in their bantamweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 23 this past weekend at Lumpinee Stadium.

The win marked Carrillo's fourth straight win and knockout finish in ONE Championship.

After solidifying his status as the number one contender to the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title, Nico Carrillo said he's practically destined to challenge for the gold the next time he steps between the ropes.

He wrote on Instagram:

"Dreamed of receptions like that yesterday. Truly grateful to be living this life. Not many people can say they have beaten the names that I have and I have years ahead of me yet. I AM NEXT 👑 #champion #uncrownedking @onechampionship."

Carrillo also thanked his team and his partner Aimee McElhinney for their continued support:

"Thank you to all my team. Thank you to all my team. Thank you to all my sponsors. Thank you for all the support. Lastly, thank you to my rock, my source of strength through all the highs and lows @aimeemcelhinney_"

Carrillo was an unstoppable force when he faced Saemapetch, the division's number four contender, in their pivotal matchup in Bangkok.

Despite facing a Thai star in the country's capital city, the crowd had nothing but love for Carrillo, and 'King of the North' used that surprising reception as his fuel to stop Saemapetch.

After an already exhilarating first round, Carrillo turned things up a notch in the second and felled Saemapetch two straight times with left hooks.

Carrillo ultimately ended Saemapetch with a barrage of punches to earn the knockout win in the second round.

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Nico Carrillo details the origins of his ferocious power

Nico Carrillo is nearly flawless in his ONE Championship run, and the names he's finished in his tenure would send chills down anyone's spine. Before he finished Saemapetch, the 25-year-old had knocked out Furkan Karabag, Muangthai PK Saenchai, and the legendary Nong-O Hama.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Carrillo recounted where his immense power came from.

"I was just gifted with my hands at a young age. But I never took it seriously. At the time I was playing football, that was my first love. I’d played that all my life, but I felt combat sports creeping its way into my life more and more.”