Nico Carrillo insists Nabil Anane’s freakish height is the only notable thing about him: “I don't think he'd be as good”

Nico Carrillo believes Nabil Anane wouldn't be as good without his height advantage.

Next Friday, January 24, was supposed to be Carrillo's opportunity to become the undisputed ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion. Unfortunately, two-sport king Superlek Kiatmoo9 was forced to pull out of the matchup due to an injury.

As a result, Carrillo accepted a short-notice replacement opponent, number five-ranked Nabil Anane, to ensure he fights at ONE 170. During an interview with the promotion, Carrillo had this to say about Anane, who's freakishly tall for the bantamweight division at 6'4":

"He's good, but I don't think he'd be as good as he is if he didn't have his height advantage. Nonetheless, he is good. I don't really have a bad thing to say about him."

Nabil Anane was initially supposed to fight no.3-ranked Kiamran Nabati at ONE 170. Instead, the 20-year-old has an opportunity to defeat Nico Carrillo and face Superlek in a rematch later this year.

Anane suffered a first-round knockout loss against Superlek in his ONE Championship debut (June 2023). Since then, the Algerian-Thai striker has rattled off five consecutive wins and officially moved to the bantamweight division.

ONE 170 goes down inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. The upcoming event can be seen via watch.one.fc.com.

Following Carrillo vs. Anane, ONE 170 will showcase Fabricio Andrade vs. Kwon Won Il 2 (bantamweight MMA world title co-main event) and Tawanchai vs. Superbon 2 (featherweight Muay Thai world title main event).

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Nico Carrillo run in ONE Championship

Nico Carrillo started his ONE Championship tenure with a first-round knockout against Furkan Karabag in April 2023.

Two months later, Carrillo put the bantamweight Muay Thai division on notice with an impressive second-round knockout against Muangthai PK Saenchai at ONE Friday Fights 22.

In December 2023, Carrillo separated himself from the rest of the division with a second-round knockout against former ONE world champion Nong-O Hama.

'King of the North' continued building momentum in his latest fight, a second-round knockout against Saemapetch Fairtex in July 2024.

Carrillo has looked unbeatable in his four-fight promotional run. Nabil Anane now looks to steal the spotlight at ONE 170 and prove he deserves the undisputed title shot against Superlek in the near future.