"It has to be Jonathan Haggerty or Superlek" - Nico Carrillo says fourth-straight KO earns him the right to challenge for gold
Nico Carrillo did what he does best inside the world-class Lumpinee Stadium at ONE Fight Night 23 – add another victim to an impressive list of warriors who have succumbed to his crunching knockout power.
The Scottish knockout machine needed about five minutes of action to see off fourth-ranked contender Saemapetch Fairtex in their bantamweight Muay Thai joust this past Friday, July 5.
At the same time, Nico Carrillo, who currently sits as the No.1-ranked contender in the talent-jammed division, believes his win has pushed him to the front of the line to face the winner of the Jonathan Haggerty and Superlek Kiatmoo9 ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title fixture that goes down at ONE 168: Denver on September 6.
'King of the North' had this to say to Sportskeeda MMA's Nick Atkin on what's next after scoring yet another statement win inside the Mecca of Muay Thai:
"It has to be Jonathan Haggerty or Superlek doesn't it? Yeah, let's see what happens. I've not even spoken to my coach, nothing yet, just came straight in here. So yeah, let's just see how the next day plays out."
Watch the full interview here:
Nico Carrillo's win over Saemapetch should finally earn him a shot at Muay Thai gold
The Deachkalek Muay Thai Academy star has been wanting in on Haggerty's gold since he turned the tide and put former kingpin Nong-O Hama to sleep in December last year.
Unfortunately, he has had to wait for his chance with 'The General' locked in for another world title defense against the ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion on ONE's return to North America.
However, given that he earned his fourth successive highlight-reel finish inside the Circle, it seems impossible for the ONE matchmakers to delay the inevitable any longer.
Nico Carrillo is in the form of his life, after all. And everyone can be guaranteed another striking clinic from the Scotsman whether he goes on to face Haggerty or Superlek for the divisional strap down the road.
Follow this link to purchase tickets for ONE 168: Denver. The promotion's second on-ground spectacle in North America takes place inside the Ball Arena on September 6.