“I took more from that loss” - Nico Carrillo describes turning point in his career that led him to greatness
Muay Thai fighter Nico Carrillo said he has gone through a lot to be where he is now in his martial arts career. That includes one tough loss earlier in his journey, which he credited for turning things around for him.
The fateful match came some six years ago outside of ONE Championship, which he described as among the toughest he had to go through while doing Muay Thai. Coincidentally, it came around the time he got stabbed while he was out with his friends in Scotland.
Nico Carrillo opened up about it in an interview with the promotion, underscoring how it was a wake-up call for him to have a better understanding on how to handle things as far as his career is concerned.
The 'King of the North' said:
"Coincidentally, it was just around the time I got stabbed. I had a fight and won, so I took another fight three weeks later. I was little banged up and was working a full-time job, so my ego was big and boosted up."
He went on to say:
"I wasn't at my best, nowhere near, but my ego put me in danger. From that day on I decided I would never overlook anyone or go into a fight less than my best, That day, six years on, I haven't been beaten. That loss shaped me. It humbled me. I took more from that loss than any win."
Nico Carrillo has been undefeated in his last 14 fights, the last three in ONE Championship, where he has taken the bantamweight Muay Thai division by storm and is among the top fighters in the game.
Nico Carrillo out to extend impressive winning streak at ONE Fight Night 23
Nico Carrillo seeks to extend his impressive winning streak when he returns to action on July 5 at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs. Rasulov on Prime Video in Thailand.
The Scottish knockout artist will battle Thai veteran Saemapetch Fairtex in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash at the event happening inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and airing live and for free to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Nico Carrillo, 25, has been undefeated in three matches to date in ONE Championship, and in his last 14 matches overall. His latest victory came back in December, knocking out former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai top dog Nong-O Hama in the second round.
Looking to halt the streak of Carrillo is Saemapetch, 29, a former bantamweight Muay Thai title contender, who is gunning for back-to-back victories at ONE Fight Night 23.