'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Top ONE bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carrillo is deep in his preparation for his scheduled return to action next month, sharpening his tools with his team, including his powerful striking. The 'King of the North' plunges back into action on July 5 at ONE Fight Night 23 at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
There, he will be going up against veteran Thai fighter Saemapetch Fairtex in a battle of bantamweight Muay Thai contenders.
Nico Carrillo recently took to Instagram to share a video clip of himself doing intense pad work with coach JP Gallacher in Thailand in preparation for ONE Fight Night 23.
The video, which has now garnered over 2,500 likes, shows the 25-year-old Scottish knockout artist laser-focused in throwing powerful kicks and elbow strikes.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Check out the video post below:
ONE Fight Night 23 will be Nico Carrillo's first fight since winning his third straight match back in December. He knocked out former bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Hama.
Meanwhile, out to halt his three-fight undefeated run is Saemapetch, who was last in action in February and defeated Mohamed Younes Rabah of Algeria by first-round TKO in their rematch.
Nico Carrillo reiterates call for world title shot
Nico Carrillo believes he has more than enough proven that he deserves a shot at the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title, which is in the possession of Jonathan Haggerty. He is urging ONE Championship to make it happen soon.
The Glasgow, Scotland, native reiterated his call in his session with the Sky Sports MMA Club podcast, highlighting that as among the top fighters in his division, and the top title contender at that, he is in a solid postion to be given an opportunity to vie for the championship belt.
"It has to happen. Listen, martial arts is all about the best fighting the best. The best fighting the best. There are no other ways around it. He's the best, I'm the top contender. And that's what people want to see. So yeah. I'm ready to fight him."
He added:
"All ONE Championship needs to do is to give me the platform to perform, and I'll always perform. Every time ONE Championship has given me someone, I've put them out in devastating fashion. All I need is that, that platform."
Nico Carrillo made his ONE Championship debut in April last year and has won three straight, all by way of knockout. His impressive run has put him as the No. 1 contender in the bantamweight Muay Thai division.
