Nabil Anane Stuns Nico Carrillo With First-Round TKO To Win Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title
Nabil Anane did the unimaginable in the first co-main event of ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II on Friday, January 24.
The Thai-Algerian shocked a sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and the millions of fans watching around the world by quickly taking out Scottish powerhouse Nico “King of the North” Carrillo to become the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Leading up the fight, Carrillo was billed as an unbeatable destroyer who was riding a 15-fight winning streak. Few people gave Anane a chance, but the 20-year-old seized his golden opportunity in style.
The 6-foot-4 phenom used his reach flawlessly, picking apart Carrillo from the outside. Then a right hand floored the Scottish striker for the first knockdown.
Carrillo returned to his feet, but Anane went right back on the attack. He lunged in with an incredible high kick that folded over “King of the North,” scoring a second eight-count. On wobbly legs, Carrillo answered yet again, but moments later, he found himself buried in Anane’s fury.
A final combination that culminated with a right hand sent Carrillo down for the third and final time, officially ending the battle via TKO at 2:35 of round one.
With the sensational victory, Anane secured interim gold, bumped his record up to 39-5 overall, and earned a rematch with reigning bantamweight Muay Thai king Superlek Kiatmoo9 to unify the World Title belts at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang in Japan on March 23.
