ONE 170 preview and predictions: Nico Carrillo vs. Nabil Anane

In a matter of days, two of the planet's lankiest bantamweights, Nico Carrillo and Nabil Anane, tango for a chance to lay their hands on the most coveted piece of gold in Muay Thai.

Their ONE interim bantamweight Muay Thai world championship tilt will be one of three five-round scraps set to bless fight fans around the world and those inside the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Carrillo punched his ticket to the gold off a series of monstrous knockouts. The No. 2-ranked contender, originally scheduled to face divisional king 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the 26 pounds of gold, spots a pristine 4-0 run as he heads into this contest.

While he believes another highlight-reel moment is written in the stars, overlooking someone as tricky as No. 5-ranked Anane could be a foolish mistake.

The Algerian-Thai phenom has turned over a new leaf since suffering a debut loss to Superlek. Anane is on a 5-0 roll with two jaw-dropping finishes over knockout specialists 'Left Meteorite' Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai and Nakrob Fairtex.

Before they trade leather in 'The Land of Smiles', Sportskeeda MMA's panel of ONE Championship writers offer their two cents on this colossal clash.

Check out their picks:

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Ted Razon: Nico Carrillo by TKO in R2

These two warriors have been on incredible runs respectively, and are both equally deserving of a shot at the interim bantamweight Muay Thai crown.

Distance management will be key for Anane, and there’s no better time to fully use his pterodactyl-like length than now.

The 20-year-old should fire jabs and push kicks early and often to disrupt Carrillo from unloading his ridiculously fast and heavy hands.

The Scotsman, on the other hand, must not get too hasty and stay patient with low kicks to chop down Anane’s movement.

Once he does, it will be safe for him to get close and unload with his hooks and uppercut at his preferred range. Anane is quite destructive from the clinch as well, but it would be risky to go on a phonebooth exchange with Carrillo.

I foresee ‘King of The North’ eventually cornering Anane near the Circle walls in round two and unleashing a violent barrage much like Superlek did.

The Algerian-Thai standout could survive the count but will be living on borrowed time. Nico Carrillo never lets up once he sees his prey hurt and I see him claiming 26 pounds of gold via another stoppage.

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James De Rozario: Nico Carrillo by KO in R2

How does Nico Carrillo find a route around Nabil Anane's height? Easy. His ability to destroy anyone standing across him inside the circle.

For where he lacks in size — the 26-year-old is almost 20 centimeters shorter than his foe — 'King of the North' makes up for it in his insane knack for landing the better shot and going in for the kill.

This should be the case once more, and I envision the Scotsman cruising to a second-round stoppage win to crush Anane's dreams of tasting gold.

Carrillo will dish out violence from the get-go, swarming forward with punches in punches to trim the gap and see if Anane can weather the storm.

As soon as the youngster responds, the Deachkalek Muay Thai Academy man will switch things up or bait him to set up his match-winning weapon.

Though I see Anane withstanding Nico Carrillo's sheer brutality in the opening three minutes, it wouldn't take long for the No. 2-ranked contender to plot his winning route in the second round, possibly off a body shot and left hook combo.

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Mike Murillo: Nico Carrillo by KO in R3

The match is going to be among the most tightly fought at ONE 170. Both are proven finishers and are in the middle of impressive winning runs.

I see Carrillo, however, taking this one by KO in the third round in large part because of his aggressive style of fighting, which could be overwhelming for Nabil at this point of his promising career.

I see this going the route of Nabil Anane versus Superlek in 2023, where the experience of ‘The Kicking Machine’ eventually kicked in and the young fighter just found it tough to keep in step.

The Algerian-Thai’s fighter’s height and reach advantage should pose problems to the ‘King of the North’ especially in the early goings. But, eventually, Nico Carrillo would figure things out and start inflicting damage with his power.

Just the same, it is going to be an exciting contest worthy of a marquee billing and fight fans should take heed.

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Vince Richards: Nico Carrillo by KO

For the first time in his ONE Championship tenure, Nico Carrillo won’t have that coveted height and reach advantage.

The 5-foot-10 knockout machine is one of the bigger bantamweight fighters, but he’ll now face Nabil Anane who stands at a towering 6-foot-4.

Often criticized as a bully due to his frame, Carrillo was often on the receiving end of unwarranted flak from fans. Nevertheless, this match against Anane might just be the most challenging one Carrillo will have in his career.

Carrillo will be in unfamiliar territory with Anane expectedly set to use those laser-like limbs to disrupt ‘King of the North’ and keep the distance between them.

With Anane utilizing his range, Nico Carrillo will have to use his underrated footwork to cut the void and land his trademark haymakers against the Thai-Algerian star.

If Carrillo fails to cut the range, then this match is for Anane’s for the taking. But if Carrillo gets close then it’s possible he’ll crumple the lanky Anane with his vicious boxing combinations.

Carrillo will have to work on this one, but through relentless pace I see him putting the pressure on Anane before working the body for a stoppage win.

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ONE 170 will be available to fight fans at watch.onefc.com this Friday, Jan. 24. The card, topped by three world title contests, takes place inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.