Nico Carrillo Reveals Journey to ONE World Title and Shows It's Never Too Late to Start Muay Thai

A Different Path to the Top of Muay Thai

Not all world champions begin training in childhood. Scottish fighter Nico Carrillo, the ONE Championship featherweight Muay Thai world champion, shared details about his journey in the sport, emphasizing that starting later does not mean being doomed to fall behind.

Unlike many opponents he faced throughout his career, Carrillo did not grow up in a training camp in Thailand, was not born into a fighting family, and did not start his Muay Thai training as a child.

His path to the world title did not follow a pre-established plan from an early age. He was introduced to the sport later in life, requiring him to carve his own way to the elite level.

The Feeling of Always Being Behind

During his early training years, Carrillo had to deal with a challenge that went beyond physical and technical difficulties: the constant feeling of being behind other athletes.

In the gyms he attended, he encountered practitioners with more training time, greater competitive experience, and more developed skills.

This disparity fueled the impression that he needed to make up for years of preparation to reach the same level as others.

However, over time, the fighter realized that accumulated experience does not necessarily determine who will be more successful in the ring.

Starting Early Does Not Guarantee Superiority

One of the key reflections shared by Carrillo involves the relationship between training time and performance.

According to the champion, starting to practice Muay Thai at six years old does not automatically mean an athlete will be superior to someone who began at twenty.

Similarly, a decade of experience does not guarantee absolute advantage over an opponent who has only trained for three years.

For Carrillo, the decisive factor lies in how each individual utilizes their available time to improve.

Throughout his journey, he observed fighters who started later surpassing those with many years of experience.

In his view, the difference is less about when someone starts and more about the dedication shown during the process.

Discipline and Determination Make the Difference

In the world champion's view, two aspects are fundamental for anyone looking to achieve significant results in the sport: the intensity of the desire to achieve their goals and the discipline to keep working even when motivation fades.

Carrillo emphasizes that progress does not depend solely on the days when training is exciting or results come quickly.

It also requires commitment during repetitive sessions, in moments of difficulty, and during phases when progress seems distant.

This mindset helped the fighter overcome the perception of disadvantage he carried at the beginning of his Muay Thai journey.

A Message for Those Who Think They Started Too Late

By sharing his story, Nico Carrillo also directed a message to those who believe they are too old to start an activity or too far from their goals.

The champion argues that comparing one's own beginning with another person's established journey can create a misleading perception of success possibilities.

Every athlete has their own pace of development, and just because someone started earlier does not mean they will necessarily go further.

The central message is simple: even if the ideal moment to start has passed, there is still an opportunity to act in the present.

From a Late Start to a World Title

Nico Carrillo's journey in ONE Championship exemplifies how different paths can lead to high performance in Muay Thai.

Without having started the sport in childhood or followed the traditional training of many Thai fighters, the Scot managed to achieve the organization's featherweight world title.

More than a reflection on the sport, his account reinforces the importance of persistence for those seeking to develop new skills and achieve personal goals.

For Carrillo, the true obstacle is not necessarily starting later than others, but allowing the fear of being behind to prevent taking the first step.

Source: Muay Thai Stand (Facebook)