What’s Next For Nico Carrillo? 3 Potential Fights Across Muay Thai, Kickboxing, And MMA

“King of the North” Nico Carrillo has already conquered one discipline in ONE Championship, and his latest performance heavily suggested he could soon become a terrifying force in another.

The reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion made a spectacular kickboxing debut at ONE Fight Night 46 on Prime Video, overcoming some early adversity before knocking out Zhou “Qilin” Jiaqiang within two rounds inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium. The dramatic victory improved Carrillo’s professional record to an impressive 30-4 and immediately gave his two-sport ambitions undeniable credibility.

The Scottish powerhouse has made it abundantly clear that he does not intend to limit himself. Before facing Zhou, Carrillo described becoming a two-sport World Champion in either kickboxing or mixed martial arts as the next logical step alongside his ongoing Muay Thai reign. He has also actively floated the exciting possibility of making his MMA debut next year while continuing to defend his current crown.

With several intriguing roads now wide open to “King of the North,” here are three potential opponents who could provide fascinating challenges across three completely different sports.

If Carrillo’s next assignment comes in his primary sport of Muay Thai, there is one matchup that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Tawanchai PK Saenchai ruled the featherweight division with an iron fist for years before a severe leg injury suffered against Liu Mengyang in December 2025 forced him into an extended rehabilitation process. Rather than hold up the stacked division, the Thai superstar graciously relinquished the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title this past July.

That decision elevated Carrillo to undisputed status, coming just months after “King of the North” defeated Shadow Mavinn over five grueling rounds to claim the interim belt in February.

But Tawanchai has not abandoned his throne permanently. The former longtime divisional king fully intends to reclaim the World Title once he is healthy and cleared to compete, making a high-stakes showdown with Carrillo the most natural fight awaiting both men.

When the time finally comes, there would be much more than gold at stake.

Carrillo never directly defeated Tawanchai to become the undisputed champion, while the Thai never actually lost his belt inside the ring. A meeting between the beloved former king and his destructive successor would provide the perfect opportunity to settle any lingering questions about who truly owns the featherweight Muay Thai throne.

Stylistically, the matchup promises absolute fireworks. Both men have built formidable global reputations around devastating power and ruthless finishing instincts, meaning neither would need much encouragement to turn their long-awaited collision into an all-out firefight.

Carrillo’s destruction of Zhou was the ideal introduction to ONE’s featherweight kickboxing ranks, but one victory is only the beginning if the Scottish destroyer truly intends to chase a second belt.

The ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament is currently establishing the next major challenger in the division, with the eventual tournament winner guaranteed a golden opportunity at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon. Carrillo is currently outside that stacked bracket, so continuing to build his kickboxing résumé against recognized global names would strengthen his compelling case for a future World Title opportunity.

That is exactly where Kaito becomes an incredibly interesting option.

The Japanese striking star has endured a difficult start to his ONE tenure and is still searching for his first promotional victory after falling to Mohammad Siasarani in their tournament quarterfinal rematch at ONE SAMURAI 2. But his recent results do not erase an extensive, world-class résumé built long before arriving in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

The former two-division SHOOT BOXING Champion entered ONE with 62 professional victories and years of invaluable experience competing among Japan’s elite. His highly versatile orthodox attack would also present Carrillo with a very different stylistic puzzle from the one Zhou recently offered.

Defeating the reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion could instantly change the entire direction of Kaito’s promotional run. For Carrillo, beating a highly decorated Japanese kickboxer would add another deeply meaningful name to his hit list and show that his successful crossover was far more than a one-night experiment.

The most ambitious path of all would take Carrillo away from pure striking competition entirely.

Carrillo has already openly discussed the possibility of testing himself in mixed martial arts, and if he eventually follows through, Pedro “Guerreiro” Dantas could provide a highly intriguing introduction to the all-encompassing sport.

The Brazilian is an established MMA fighter, but his foundation is rooted heavily in the striking arts. Dantas began his combat sports career in kickboxing, compiling an excellent 10-1 record before fully transitioning to MMA. He then opened his professional MMA career at a flawless 6-0 with a 100 percent finishing rate, never needing more than two rounds to dispatch an opponent.

Four of those victories came by knockout or TKO, while two came by submission, giving him enough offensive diversity to ensure Carrillo would have to respect far more than just his hands.

That dangerous blend is precisely what could make Dantas such a sensible first MMA test for the Scottish star. He is a striker at heart who would likely be willing to engage Carrillo in his strongest area, but his submission victories and grappling experience mean “King of the North” could not simply treat the contest like just another kickboxing or Muay Thai fight.

Dantas has yet to find victory in ONE after dropping hard-fought decisions to Ibragim Dauev in MMA and Mohammad Siasarani in kickboxing. His immediate attention is now firmly on Hector “La Arana” Almonacid, whom he faces in featherweight MMA at ONE Fight Night 47 on Prime Video on September 4.

That assignment naturally comes first. But beyond it, Dantas’ proven combination of striking pedigree and legitimate ground threats could make him the ideal measuring stick if Carrillo decides the time has finally come to step into the MMA ranks.

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