ONE Championship's featherweight Muay Thai division has a new undisputed champion.
Tawanchai PK Saenchai has relinquished the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title due to injury, paving the way for Nico Carrillo to be elevated to undisputed champion. The 27-year-old Thai superstar informed his fans of the decision via social media.
"The belt was an honor to hold. My honor remains, with or without it. I am relinquishing the title out of respect for the organization and the fans," he wrote.
Tawanchai's reign was one of the most memorable in the division's history. After making his ONE debut in 2021, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym product defeated Petchmorakot Petchyindee in a gruelling five-round war in 2022 to claim the featherweight Muay Thai crown.
He went on to defend his title multiple times against world-class strikers, establishing himself as one of the most dominant champions the division has ever seen. His 134-33 pro record and 10-3 ONE record stand as testament to a career built on exceptional skill and relentless competitive spirit.
The beginning of the end came in December 2025, when Chinese striker Liu Mengyang landed a calf kick that ended their kickboxing contest in a stunning 52 seconds. The injury sustained that night required surgery, and Tawanchai has been working through rehabilitation ever since. With a full recovery timeline still uncertain, the Thai superstar made the selfless decision to vacate rather than leave the division without clear leadership.
That leadership now falls to Carrillo. The 27-year-old Scotsman has been one of the most explosive forces in the featherweight division since arriving on the ONE Friday Fights circuit in 2023, where he won a US$100,000 main roster contract with a stunning debut performance.
He followed that up with six consecutive ONE victories before earning an interim title opportunity for the second time, facing Thai warrior Shadow Mavinn at ONE Fight Night 40 this year.
Carrillo outworked his rival comprehensively to claim the interim belt, and Tawanchai's vacancy now sees him elevated to the undisputed featherweight Muay Thai throne. His 30-4 career record and 7-1 ONE record with knockout finishes throughout speak to a champion who was ready for this moment long before it officially arrived.
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