“They all collapse when they face me” – Nico Carrillo ready to crush Saemapetch at ONE Fight Night 23

Nico “King of the North” Carrillo is confident he can crush Saemapetch Fairtex with his pressure at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs. Rasulov on Prime Video.

Muay Thai’s number 1 bantamweight contender is in impressive form ahead of his clash in the United States on Friday July 5 and he feels unstoppable in his quest to reach the top.

Carrillo knows his rival is no slouch – confirmed by Saemapetch’s 4th place finish in the standings – but he sees nothing but a resounding end when they clash at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

With three consecutive knockout victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization, including his latest victory over the division’s most legendary figure, Nong-O Hama, “King of the North” has every right to have this confidence in him.

The 25-year-old told onefc.com:

“I know I have a serious competitor in front of me. I am not neglecting it in any way. He is one of the hardest hitters in the division.

“But I’m at a stage in my career where I haven’t been beaten in a long time, and I’m very confident in my abilities and I can handle anything in my fights.

“I only get better with age. I am like a good wine. »

Saemapetch is a mainstay in ONE’s bantamweight ranks. The Thai favorite has challenged for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title and has amassed nine wins in the promotion.

However, he has also tasted defeat five times, and it is in those defeats that Carrillo sees the Fairtex athlete’s kryptonite – and he plans to expose his Thai rival.

“When he’s the aggressor, he’s great. But when we put pressure on him, he collapses. They all collapse when they face me. Saemapetch will do it, like everyone else. They all fall. No one has survived me yet.

“A knockout is coming. It will be calculated and it will come. I’ll find him. I always do.”

Carrillo wants to be “undeniable” for the world title

After his knockout win over Nong-O Hama last December, Nico Carrillo looked like he could be next in line to face Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai world title.

However, a hand injury sidelined the Scot, and two-division king Haggerty then managed to defend against Felipe ‘Demolition Man’ Lobo in February.

Carrillo is still determined to face ‘The General’, and he believes the Londoner is wary of what might happen if they ever come face to face in the ring.

Assessing his potential rival, the “King in the North” said:

“Haggerty knows I’m the toughest fight in this division. The reason he doesn’t say my name is because he doesn’t want to fight me. He knows this will be the end for him. It’s the truth.

“At this point, I feel like I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m the hardest worker. All I need is for ONE to make the right matchups, put me on the platform and let me prove it because I’ve done it so far, every time.

Haggerty’s next outing will be a world title defense against “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 168: Denver in September, and while Carrillo would love to face “The General,” he’s happy to face either man for the belt.

With a victory over Saemapetch Fairtex, “King of the North” believes a chance at gold is the only option, and he’s ready to prove he’s not just the number 1 contender, but the best in the world.

He said:

“When I beat Saemapetch and you look at my resume and you see I’ve beaten fighters like him, Nong-O, Seksan and others, the only thing that says I’m not the best in the world is a golden strap.

“For me it’s just about keeping my job. I beat Saemapetch and then I’m really undeniable after that. I’m sure I should get the winner of Haggerty vs. Superlek.