In a night of high-stakes battles and breathtaking momentum swings at ONE Fight Night 40, Scotland’s Nico “King of the North” Carrillo delivered one of the most compelling performances of his career, fighting back from adversity to win the ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Title against Thailand’s Shadow Singha Mawynn in Bangkok. Carrillo’s spectacular victory not only secured the world title he had long wanted, but also cemented his reputation as one of the hardest and most resilient fighters on the global Muay Thai scene.
The Stage Is Set: Lumpinee Stadium Showdown
Carrillo’s main event match, held at the famed Lumpinee Stadium, which has served as a testing ground for champions for generations, was far from a straightforward triumph. The Scottish striker faced one of Thailand’s most technically sound and seasoned Muay Thai fighters, Shadow Singha Mawynn, a former Rajadamnern Stadium world champion with decades of elite experience.
Shadow started strong, driving the action with quick leg kicks, body blows, and stiff combinations that put Carrillo off balance in the first several rounds. As the fight went, it became evident that both warriors were determined to win the belt, and they each met their opponent’s best attempts with grit and resolve.
Despite the early struggles, Carrillo refused to let the night slip away. By the third round, he had managed to get back into rhythm, pressing forward with his trademark right hand that had been a cornerstone of his offense all evening.
Turning the Tide: The Decisive Moments
The turning point occurred in the fourth round, when Carrillo struck with a straight right cross that knocked Shadow to the ground – the fight’s only knockdown. Though Shadow overcame the referee’s eight count and returned to the fight, the momentum had definitely shifted. Carrillo’s confidence grew, as he began to command the tempo more frequently with a flurry of effective blows and greater ring control.
In the deciding fifth round, both fighters demonstrated tenacity and passion, dealing hard blows in an incredible fury that brought the loud Bangkok crowd to its feet. But it was Carrillo’s constant pressure and precise aggression that eventually wore down his opponent. When the final bell rang, the judges handed Carrillo a unanimous verdict, declaring him ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion and handing him one of his most significant victories.
Redemption and Resilience: Carrillo’s Journey
For Carrillo, this meant more than simply another championship. It was a narrative about perseverance and redemption. The Glasgow native has already experienced title disappointment in ONE Championship, most notably in a high-profile loss in January 2025 when he fell short in his first world title try. The setback could have slowed his career trajectory, but Carrillo used it as motivation, refining his tactics, altering his preparation, and eventually winning the world title that had previously slipped through his fingers.
Moving up from bantamweight to featherweight proved to be a pivotal move. Scotland’s champion is currently 30-4, demonstrating a proven capacity to adapt and prosper even against world-class opponents. His performance in Bangkok was distinguished not just by physical capability, but also by strategic wisdom, which enabled him to absorb pressure, weather early setbacks, and finish strong when it counted the most.
What This Victory Means
Carrillo’s career will benefit from the triumph both now and in the future. With his world title secured, talks about future unification matches with incumbent ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai have already begun after he recovers from injury. A clash like this would not only raise Carrillo’s history, but it might also usher in a new era of competition at the top of the division.
Carrillo’s victory fills the Scottish combat sports community with pride. While Scotland has produced world champions in other sports, Carrillo’s rise from humble gym beginnings in Glasgow to world championship gold in Asia’s most illustrious arenas exemplifies global determination and cultural crossover in combat sports.
Looking Ahead
What happens next for the “King of the North”? With his title in hand and his confidence at an all-time high, Carrillo has a promising future ahead of him. Whether he chases unification fights, title defenses, or high-profile foreign matches, his place at the top of the Muay Thai world is now certain.
For fans of the sport, his win at ONE Fight Night 40 will be regarded as a classic – a dramatic story of adversity, courage, and eventual success that reverberates well beyond the ring.