Carrillo defends ONE Muay Thai title against Anane in rematch at Inner Circle 43

MMA-TV Newsroom Summarized with AI Yesterday at 9:42 AM Updated Today at 12:35 PM AI checked Today at 2:04 PM

The bottom line

Nico Carrillo defends his ONE featherweight Muay Thai title against Nabil Anane on Dec. 18 at Inner Circle 43, saying he was too unhealthy at ONE 170 and promising a knockout.

From 7 reports by 5 outlets

Latest Carrillo says he should never have fought Anane at ONE 170, promises knockout Today at 12:35 PM 5 outlets

Carrillo defends ONE Muay Thai title against Anane in rematch at Inner Circle 43 — Photo via ONE Championship · added Today at 12:35 PM

What we know

Carrillo vs. Anane is a five-round ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title fight at The Inner Circle 43 on Dec. 18 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok; it is Carrillo's first defense as undisputed champion.
The Inner Circle 43 starts Fri, Dec 18, 6:30 a.m. ET (11:30 UTC).
Anane stopped Carrillo at 2:35 of round one at ONE 170 in January 2025 to win the interim bantamweight Muay Thai title.
Carrillo became undisputed featherweight Muay Thai champion in July after Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated the title.
Carrillo says he should never have fought at ONE 170 because he was too unhealthy, and that he is stronger now.
The card also features a strawweight Muay Thai title unification bout between Prajanchai Pongsuphan PK and Aliff Sor Dechapan.
Anane is ranked #3 in the bantamweight Muay Thai division.

Nico Carrillo gets the chance to settle the one loss that still follows him. His first defense as undisputed ONE featherweight Muay Thai champion is a rematch with Nabil Anane, the man who ended his 15-fight winning streak.

Carrillo now says he was in no shape for the first meeting. He told ONE he fought only because he is headstrong and did not want to let the company down, and that he was too unhealthy. His promise for the rematch: he is "much healthier, fitter, and stronger," and Anane will face someone different. He also says he will "separate him from his consciousness." ONE notes that Carrillo made weight and passed hydration for ONE 170, but he knew his growing frame no longer belonged at 145 pounds.

The fight itself was short. Anane used his length to drop Carrillo three times and forced a stoppage at 2:35 of round one to take the interim bantamweight Muay Thai title. He was 20, and it was the biggest night of his young career.

Carrillo then moved up to featherweight and won four straight in ONE. Finishes of Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong and Luke Lessei earned an interim title shot, and he beat Shadow Mavinn over five rounds at ONE Fight Night 40 in February. He became undisputed champion in July when Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated the belt. In August he knocked out Zhou Jiaqiang in the second round of his ONE kickboxing debut.

Anane's road since has been uneven. After beating Superlek and being elevated to undisputed bantamweight champion, he lost the belt to Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon over five rounds at The Inner Circle 7. Suakim Pongsuphan PK then beat him by split decision in August. He bounced back with a unanimous decision over former K-1 champion Yuki Yoza at ONE SAMURAI 4 earlier this month, and he is ranked #3 at bantamweight Muay Thai. Now he is the one moving up in weight.

A win for Anane would give him the featherweight belt and a 2-0 series lead, and could put him back near the bantamweight title picture. A win for Carrillo would level the series, open the door to a third fight and let him return to his kickboxing push. This is a Muay Thai title fight, not a kickboxing one. More bouts are expected to be added to the card.

Summary: Nico Carrillo defends his ONE featherweight Muay Thai title against Nabil Anane on Dec. 18 at Inner Circle 43, saying he was too unhealthy at ONE 170 and promising a knockout.

Key points (one per line): Carrillo makes his first defense of the undisputed ONE featherweight Muay Thai title against Nabil Anane at The Inner Circle 43 on Dec. 18 in Bangkok.
Anane stopped Carrillo in round one of their January 2025 meeting at ONE 170, dropping him three times.
Carrillo says he should never have fought that night because he was unhealthy, and promises a finish this time.
The card also has a strawweight Muay Thai title unification: Prajanchai Pongsuphan PK vs. Aliff Sor Dechapan.