There is no fighter Nico Carrillo wanted more than Nabil Anane. Now, the reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion defends his crown against the former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion at The Inner Circle 43 on Friday, December 18, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, streaming via live.onefc.com.
The Scottish knockout artist has been dreaming about this moment since the night Anane dropped him three times in the opening round to claim the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship in January 2025.
That defeat was the catalyst for everything that followed. Carrillo moved up to featherweight, rebuilt his momentum with four consecutive wins, claimed the interim featherweight title, and was elevated to undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion when Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated the crown earlier this year. Every step of that journey had one destination in mind.
“I was absolutely buzzing when I knew it was Nabil. We’ve always wanted this fight — I’ve always wanted this fight. Since I moved up weight, I’ve always said whenever Nabil comes up, I will welcome him to the division,” he said.
Anane, 22, is no longer the same fighter who knocked Carrillo down three times. The Venum Training Camp and Team Mehdi Zatout product carries a 9-3 ONE record and a 42-7 career record into the title fight, having responded to back-to-back losses with a statement victory earlier this month.
For Carrillo, the respect is genuine. What happens on December 18 is a different matter entirely.
“I have nothing but respect for Nabil, but when it comes to fight night, I’m going to separate him from his consciousness,” he explained.
Eight ONE victories, seven by knockout, and a first-time title defense against the only man to beat him inside the ring. For Carrillo, the arithmetic is simple.
“I get to right the wrong. I get to right one of the biggest wrongs of my life, and finally move on from it,” he added.
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