In a significant development within the ONE Championship landscape, the Featherweight Muay Thai division has a new undisputed king. Nico "King of the North" Carrillo has been officially elevated to the undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion. This transition follows the decision by former champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai to vacate his title as he continues to recover from a serious injury sustained during a kickboxing bout in late 2025. Carrillo's promotion marks a pivotal moment, recognizing his interim title reign and setting the stage for his ambitious future plans, including a foray into kickboxing.
Tawanchai's tenure as the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion was marked by extraordinary skill and a series of dominant performances that solidified his reputation as a generational talent. Debuting with ONE in 2021, he rose to prominence in 2022 by securing the featherweight Muay Thai crown after a rigorous five-round battle against Petchmorakot at ONE 161. His reign was characterized by successful defenses against formidable opponents such as Jamal Yusupov and Superbon, the reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion. Additionally, Tawanchai twice overcame "Smokin" Jo Nattawut across different combat sports, building an impressive 10-3 record within ONE Championship and establishing himself as one of the most formidable strikers in the sport's history.
However, Tawanchai's impressive championship run met an abrupt end in December 2025. During a kickboxing match, he faced Chinese contender Liu “Spirit Dragon” Mengyang. A powerful calf kick from Mengyang resulted in a swift and unexpected knockout within 52 seconds, necessitating surgery and an extended rehabilitation period for Tawanchai. This injury ultimately led to his decision to relinquish his hard-earned title, allowing the division to progress.
Stepping into this new role, Nico Carrillo has demonstrated his worthiness of the undisputed championship. The 27-year-old Scottish fighter brought a formidable 29-4 career record and a relentless drive for victory into his interim world title opportunity. He faced Thai warrior Shadow Mavinn at ONE Fight Night 40 earlier this year, where he outmaneuvered his opponent to seize the interim belt, thereby cementing his position at the pinnacle of the division. His elevation to undisputed champion is a testament to his persistent efforts and exceptional talent.
With the undisputed title now secured, Carrillo is not resting on his laurels. He is poised to broaden his horizons, with his ONE kickboxing debut scheduled against Chinese newcomer Zhou Jiaqiang. This highly anticipated bout will take place at ONE Fight Night 46 on Friday, August 14, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Carrillo's ultimate aspiration is to add kickboxing gold to his already impressive collection, thereby joining an elite group of athletes who have achieved the rare feat of becoming two-sport ONE World Champions.
Nico Carrillo's ascension to the undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion is a culmination of his dedication and fighting prowess. His new status comes after the unfortunate injury of the former champion, Tawanchai PK Saenchai, who left an indelible mark on the division. Carrillo's future endeavors, particularly his venture into kickboxing, highlight his ambition to dominate multiple disciplines and further engrave his name in the annals of combat sports history.
