"They are fighting fanatics" - Nico Carrillo admits nothing beats the feeling of competing in front of 'loving' Thai crowd
Since signing to ONE Championship in 2023, Nico Carrillo has been applying his trade in Thailand with several successful trips in the last couple of years.
The Thai fans are educated when it comes to what they're watching and of course, they show up to support the great champions and strikers that their country produces.
However, that doesn't mean that they won't show respect towards visitors who earn their adoration with their performances inside the ring.
This is something that Carrillo has found out firsthand as a result of the four-fight winning streak that he has put together in the bantamweight Muay Thai division.
Despite the 'King of the North' stopping multiple Thai fan favorites with the likes of Saemapetch Fairtex, Nong-O Hama, and Muangthai PK Saenchai, all being stopped by the rising contender, he feels the love from the home fans on each occasion.
In a recent interview with the Leather'd Podcast, Carrillo spoke about his interactions with the Thai supporters:
"So what I love about the Thai fans in particular is when they're going to stadiums, they'll stay till the end. They're watching every fight. They are fighting fanatics, like serious fans. It's amazing not only that, but they're the kindest and most loving people and I mean it. It doesn't matter where you come from. See if you fight hard you will earn the respect of the Thai fans."
Watch the full interview below:
Nico Carrillo returns to Thailand to kick off 2025 in a big way
In his first outing of the new year, Nico Carrillo will return to Thailand for the biggest fight of his career to date.
The Scottish contender won't just be facing another one of the Thai fans' most beloved competitors, he may be facing the best of them all.
At ONE 170 on Jan. 24, he challenges two-sport king Superlek for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world championship in a clash between two of the most in-form strikers in the world today.