Nico Carrillo Defends Featherweight Muay Thai World Title Against Nabil Anane In Rematch At The Inner Circle 43
“King of the North” Nico Carrillo’s first assignment as undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion is confirmed, and it brings a familiar name back into his path.
The Scottish knockout machine will defend his coveted gold in a rematch against Algerian-Thai slugger Nabil Anane at The Inner Circle 43 inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, December 18, with the action available to subscribers at live.onefc.com.
Their long-awaited sequel joins the previously announced ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title unification bout between reigning king Prajanchai Pongsuphan PK and interim titleholder Aliff Sor Dechapan.
When Carrillo and Anane last met at ONE 170 in January 2025, the Glaswegian arrived on a 15-fight winning streak and with a reputation as one of the sport’s most feared strikers. That night did not go his way, though, as Anane finished him in the first round to claim the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Since then, “King of the North” has moved up to featherweight and chalked up another remarkable 4-0 run in the world’s largest martial arts organization. He earned back-to-back finishes of Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong and Luke “The Chef” Lessei to book a shot at the interim crown against Shadow Mavinn at ONE Fight Night 40 this past February.
That evening, the Deachkalek Muay Thai Academy representative delivered a strong five-round performance to walk away with 26 pounds of gold. He was then elevated to undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion in July, when Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated the title.
In August, Carrillo took a massive step toward becoming a two-sport ONE World Champion when he opened his promotional kickboxing account with a second-round knockout of Zhou “Qilin” Jiaqiang at ONE Fight Night 46.
Waiting at The Inner Circle 43 is the man who made that first meeting the biggest night of his young career.
Anane was only 20 when he stunned “King of the North” inside Bangkok’s Impact Arena. He floored the Scotsman three times en route to a sixth straight triumph on the global stage.
From there, he outpointed “The Kicking Machine” Superlek, was later elevated to undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, then ventured into two kickboxing battles, which included a win over Hiromi “The Purple Comet” Wajima at ONE 173 in Tokyo, Japan.
The ride has had its bumps, however. Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon took his gold in a five-round battle at The Inner Circle 7, and Suakim Pongsuphan PK edged him by split decision this past August. He has since returned to winning ways with a unanimous decision win over former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza at ONE SAMURAI 4 in a bantamweight kickboxing tiff earlier this month.
The momentum is back, and the #3-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender is not wasting it. Victory would earn him the featherweight crown, a 2-0 series lead over Carrillo and, potentially, a loud knock on the door of the bantamweight World Title picture.
For Carrillo, the stakes are just as clear. He can begin his run as the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion by settling a score that has followed him since January 2025. A win would level the series at one apiece, put a third meeting squarely on the table, and let him turn back to his two-sport mission in kickboxing with a clear mind.
Stay tuned for more exciting additions to The Inner Circle 43 on Friday, December 18.
