“The adjustments have been made” - Nico Carrillo promises sudden shift from Superlek to Nabil Anane won’t be an issue

Nico Carrillo knows the tough task that stands in front of him at ONE 170.

Originally, 'King of the North' was scheduled to square off with two-sport king Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world championship. Sadly, 'The Kicking Machine' was forced to bow out of the bout due to an injury.

Now, Carrillo will meet 6'4" Algerian-Thai sensation Nabil Anane for the interim ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title when ONE Championship heads back to Impact Arena in Bangkok this Friday, Jan. 24.

With little time to prepare for such a different opponent, Carrillo knows that leaving The Land of Smiles with 26 pounds of gold will be no easy task, but it's a challenge that the Scottish is welcoming with open arms. Speaking at the ONE 170 press conference, Carrillo said:

"Obviously, beating Nabil is quite difficult in such a short time, to train for someone so tall. But the adjustments have been made, and I’m ready as I’ll ever be."

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Nabil Anane has never faced anyone like Nico Carrillo

Nico Carrillo goes into his first ONE world title opportunity with a perfect 4-0 record inside the Circle — all his victories coming via KO/TKO.

Carrillo's most impressive wins yet came in his last two outings when he scored a stunning come-from-behind KO against former ONE world champion Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fights 46 in December 2023. Seven months later, he dispatched Thai legend Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 23, moving him up the contender's ladder and emerging as the second-ranked contender in the loaded bantamweight Muay Thai division.

Meanwhile, Nabil Anane has put together his own impressive streak of wins, blasting through his last five challengers after coming up short in his ONE debut against Superlek.

Along the way, Anane has scored highlight-reel knockouts against Nakrob Fairtex and Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai. However, none of them have the power of Carrillo — a fact 'King of the North' was more than happy to remind Nabil of during an interview with Nick Atkin of the Bangkok Post.

Speaking with confidence, the Scot said:

"He's never fought Nico Carrillo".

ONE Championship fans can catch ONE 170 live on Friday, Jan. 24 at watch.onefc.com.