Nico Carrillo made an immediate statement in his kickboxing debut at ONE Fight Night 46 on Friday 14th August, stopping Zhou Jiaqiang by knockout in the second round at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion moved into kickboxing to remain active and needed just over two rounds to get the job done.
A testing first round
Zhou Jiaqiang was not overawed by the occasion. The 20-year-old Chinese striker made life difficult for Carrillo in the opening round, landing a cracking right hand that shook the Scot and served notice that this was not going to be straightforward.
Carrillo spent much of the first round settling in, working his left kick to Zhou’s body and right arm while trying to find his range in an unfamiliar rule set. A front kick to the face from Zhou in the second underlined that the Chinese newcomer had come to compete.
Nico Carrillo knocks out Zhou Jiaqiang
The adjustment came quickly. Carrillo located his rhythm in the second round, began landing his punches with more authority and connected with a body hook that sent Zhou retreating toward the ropes.
With his opponent in trouble, Carrillo moved in and landed a right hand that almost took Zhou off his feet. He followed him around the ring, unloading right hands until Zhou hit the canvas. The referee counted him out. The stoppage came at 2:37 of the second round.
What’s next for Nico Carrillo?
The Glasgow knockout artist has now demonstrated he can finish opponents under kickboxing rules and will be looking toward the top of the division next.
With Tawanchai still sidelined indefinitely, the Muay Thai division is thin on challengers for Nico’s world championship. Could we see him turn his attention to challenging Superbon to become a two-sport champion in future?
Fight Record will bring you further updates on Nico Carrillo’s kickboxing campaign as they are announced.
