Carrillo Pursues Kickboxing Gold After Muay Thai Title Win

Nico Carrillo is trading his Muay Thai title defense for a kickboxing debut this Friday.

The newly crowned ONE Championship featherweight Muay Thai champion faces Chinese kickboxer Zhou Jiaqiang at ONE Fight Night 46 in Bangkok, according to BJPenn.com. Carrillo inherited the undisputed belt last month when Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated to continue recovering from a leg injury. The 27-year-old Scot earned that promotion by outworking Shadow Mavinn across five rounds at ONE Fight Night 40 in February.

Two-Sport Championship Path Takes Shape

Carrillo told BJPenn.com he is not dwelling on the circumstances of his coronation. "Nothing has changed. I have an opponent in front of me that I have to deal with, and I'm locked on that task," he said. "The news of me being officially crowned has nothing to do with this fight camp."

A win over Zhou would position Carrillo to chase two-sport world champion status in ONE Championship. The move echoes his earlier comment that stacking disciplines is the logical next step. "I'm already a ONE World Champion, and the next obvious step is to become a two-sport World Champion, kickboxing or MMA alongside Muay Thai," he said. "For now, it's one step at a time."

Carrillo carries a 29-4 record into Friday and plans to defend his Muay Thai title later this year before attempting an MMA debut in Qatar as early as March. The timeline aligns with ONE Championship's renewed partnership with Visit Qatar.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Nico Carrillo’s kickboxing gamble could put him on a path to history