"You build on that kind of stuff" - Nico Carrillo explains why he wants to stay active in competition

Second-ranked ONE bantamweight Muay Thai star Nico Carrillo credited ONE flyweight kickboxing and bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 for inspiring him to compete as many times as possible in a year.

Speaking exclusively with the Sky Sports MMA Club, 'King of The North' shared how Superlek's willingness to fight at a moment's notice makes him great and, in turn, inspired him:

"This is why I like to stay active, because the confidence you build from staying active, you go there and you think of something and you do something and it works, like 'I knew I was going to do that' and then you build on that kind of stuff. So being active is really important."

Watch the entire interview below:

Since arriving on the global stage of ONE in 2023, Carrillo has lived up to his words of being an active competitor. He knocked out Furkan Karabag, Muangthai PK Saenchai, and the legendary Nong-O Hama in April, June, and December of that year, respectively.

This past July, the Deachkalek Muay Thai Academy star added respected finisher Saemapetch Fairtex to that list.

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Nico Carrillo set to challenge Superlek in January

Despite Nico Carrillo's immense respect for Superlek's work ethic and achievements, the 26-year-old Scottish striker will challenge 'The Kicking Machine' for the 145-pound Muay Thai crown at ONE 170 on Jan. 24, 2025, inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Carrillo has proven he deserves a shot at 26 pounds of ONE gold. Still, it will be no easy task as Superlek has tremendous momentum on his side owing to a fantastic 11-fight winning streak dating back to May 2022.

The Thai hero's most recent victim is ONE bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty, whom Superlek knocked out to claim the 145-pound Muay Thai crown at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 7 inside the Ball Arena.