“You can’t fight destiny” - JP Gallacher reflects on the odyssey he and Nico Carrillo took to interim world title shot at ONE 170

JP Gallacher and Nico Carrillo are on the precipice of history when they set out for the biggest fight of their careers, yet.

Carrillo will have his trusted coach in his corner when he faces Nabil Anane for the ONE interim bantamweight Muay Thai world title at the stacked ONE 170 card on January 24 at Impact Arena.

Taking to Instagram, Gallacher recalled how he and Carrillo started their journey to Muay Thai glory as teenagers in Scotland and now to potentially capture a piece of ONE Championship gold in Bangkok.

Gallacher wrote:

"There’s something so beautiful about being against the odds from the start, giving up everything and putting your full life on hold for a dream only you and your team can see, and then it paying off and bringing us to where we are today. You Can’t fight destiny. See you on the 24th."

Gallacher, who's two years older than Carrillo, was once a Muay Thai prospect in his native Scotland but he decided to dive into coaching for his professional career.

He's since guided Carrillo to a strong 27-3-1 professional record and a perfect 4-0 slate in ONE Championship, with all four wins coming via knockout.

Nico Carrillo racked up four straight knockout wins against Furkan Karabag, Muangthai PK Saenchai, former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama, and Saemapetch Fairtex.

'King of the North' was then penciled in to challenge Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title, but the Thai superstar had to pull out of ONE 170 after sustaining an injury in training camp.

Nevertheless, Carrillo still has a chance at gold when he faces Anane for the division's interim strap.

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Nico Carrillo recalls his early days fighting in Thailand

Nico Carrillo, by now, has no problems integrating himself into the Thai culture, but the Scottish knockout machine admitted he experienced massive culture shock the first time he fought in the Southeast Asian country.

In an interview with the Leather'd Podcast, Carrillo acknowledged his limited knowledge of Thailand when he arrived in the country during his younger years.

Carrillo said:

"Mate, honestly, it was crazy. Such a young guy. Going over to the other side of the world. Where we could do everything, honestly. What I really loved about it was the culture change."