The No. 3-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender earned a second-round TKO stoppage over the Thai great at ONE Fight Night 30 at Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday, April 5, as he reminded the world that he’s dangerous, regardless of the bracket.
The matchup was Carrillo’s first since his knockout loss to interim bantamweight Muay Thai king Nabil Anane this past January at ONE 170, and the relief at getting the win was evident in his post-fight interview.
“This victory means more to me than any victory I’ve had in my full career,” he said.
“This is bigger than when I beat Nong-O, when I beat Muangthai. This is bigger than any of that because I came back from a loss, and I was fighting some serious demons in January. I completely lost myself.
“I lost a lot of confidence, and I’m so grateful to ONE Championship. [They] allowed me to come back, to right that wrong. And I’m just so happy and pleased with myself that I kept all the demons at bay, all the voices in my head that were scared, and I didn’t want to feel that feeling again.”
With a dominant dispatching of a Muay Thai legend in Sitthichai, Carrillo now has the attention of his featherweight Muay Thai bracket.
He’s certainly put himself in the mix with the division’s best names, but he’s making a point of enjoying the ride to the top of the mountain this time.
In contrast to his rise through the bantamweight ranks, “King of the North” is in no rush to call out any rivals. He’s just happy to return to winning ways and is ready to face whoever ONE puts in front of him.
“Whatever ONE Championship offers me. I’m sure it’ll be the right fight. I’ll be ready to take that,” Carrillo said.
“Everybody above me is such an amazing fight for me, and I’m sure ONE Championship will make the right decision [for] who’s next for me, and I’ll be ready for it.”
