AI Summary
5 min readNico Carrillo discusses his rise in Muay Thai, the mechanics behind his quick development, and the deliberate choices that separate sustained progress from early talent. The conversation covers his start at age 15, the differences between Thai and Western training methods, weight management realities, mental tools drawn from running, and his shift toward MMA while holding the ONE Championship belt.
Entry and Early Development
Carrillo walked into a Glasgow gym at 15 after playing football and immediately committed to daily training. Two months later he entered a junior tournament as a last-man-standing format and won every bout to become Scottish champion. He attributes the outcome less to polished technique than to raw competitiveness and an early recognition that the rough local environment offered limited options. Without a father at home, he set his own standard rather than relying on external pressure. One year after starting, he traveled to Thailand with his coach, a trip funded by family. The environment forced adaptation through high-volume sessions against experienced Thai fighters, producing noticeable gains in timing and durability once he returned.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (03:06) **Entry into Muay Thai** - First exposure at 15 and immediate obsession after one class
- 2 (05:18) **Early life and self-motivation** - Grew up without father figure and set his own standards through sports
- 3 (10:46) **Rapid amateur progression** - Won first four fights in under a year, including draw against UK number one
- 4 (12:25) **Thailand training trip** - Two-month immersion at 16 accelerated skill level dramatically
- 5 (14:16) **Western vs Thai training differences** - Contrasts intentional, science-based approach with high-volume traditional methods
- 6 (20:08) **Championship mindset and future plans** - Won ONE Championship belt then immediately shifted focus to MMA
- 7 (30:05) **Durability and damage avoidance** - Rarely shows visible damage despite long career
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Show Notes
Nico Carrillo - ONE championship world champ, Scottish Muay Thai fighter. He is a WMO Welterweight World Champion and ISKA Muay Thai World 65kg Champion.
Join us for a conversation about Nico’s journey from growing up without a father figure to discovering his passion for combat sports. He discusses his early fights, training experiences in Thailand versus more intentional modern methods, and his relentless drive to chase a lasting legacy in fighting while motivating others.
Follow Nico: https://www.instagram.com/nicocarrillo_kotn/
Follow along:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronrhanes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cameronhanes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camhanes/
Website: https://www.cameronhanes.com
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Scotland, Football, and How Nico Got into Fighting
00:05:08 – No Male Role Models: Growing up Without a Father
00:10:40 – First Fights & Nico’s Trainer
00:14:54 – How Thailand Trains vs Training with Intention
00:18:46 – Nico’s Belt, Carrying the Rock, and Shooting at the Bow Rack
00:22:35 – Never Finished: Nico’s MMA Goals
00:30:05 – “Fighter Face”, Avoiding the Damage, and UFC Fights
00:34:10 – Talking Smack and Marketing in Fighting
00:38:20 – Muay Thai: Fighting for the Love of Fighting
00:45:25 – Contracts, New Fights, and Endorsements
00:49:30 – Dream Opponents & Training with UFC Fighters
00:53:06 – Ilia Topuria
00:55:16 – Chasing a Legacy and the Inner Drive to Motivate Others
00:59:44 – Training, Nutrition, and Why Nico is so Shredded
01:03:40 – For the Love of Running
01:06:35 – Most Painful Strike, Thai Clinch, and Broken Bones
01:13:57 – F**l, Marry, Kill: Running, Shooting a Bow, Wrestling
01:16:23 – How Ultra Running Prepares Nico for Fighting Mentally
01:20:46 – Balancing Fighting History & Artform with New Knowledge in Training and Recovery
01:27:31 – Be Intentional: Fuel, Water, and Electrolytes for Fights
01:36:46 – Your Body Adapts the Harder You Push it
01:40:24 – No Part Time Savages
01:43:59 – Training to be the Best Version of Yourself
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