Carrillo posts negative drug test result

Nico Carrillo has published a ONE Championship letter stating his latest anti-doping test returned a negative result. The document, dated August 26, addresses a test administered to the Scot on August 15 in Bangkok.

The letter confirms the analysis found no substances or methods prohibited under the current World Anti-Doping Agency list. It was signed by Dr Warren Wang, ONE’s senior vice-president of medical services. Carrillo shared the letter on his Instagram Stories after a video clip of Superbon calling for a drug test was posted by Thai combat sports influencer PRIYA MMA.

Carrillo’s coach, JP Gallacher, also responded to the post with the document. "This guy and his big mouth. Nico lives rent free in his head," Gallacher wrote.

Escalating Rivalry

The test was taken on the same day Carrillo made his promotional kickboxing debut at ONE Fight Night 46. He stopped Chinese newcomer Zhou Jiaqiang in the second round at Lumpinee Stadium. The publication of the test result is the latest escalation between ONE’s two featherweight striking champions.

Carrillo had previously questioned Superbon's repeated comments about him. He told the Bangkok Post at a media day that he had "always been a fan" of the Thai but did not understand the criticism. "I’ve never said anything bad about him, but it just seems like every time I see an interview with him, he’s got something bad to say about me," Carrillo said.

He was more pointed in a separate Thai media scrum. "Look what happened to his teammate [Nong-O] when he said the same thing," Carrillo said. "It will be the same story for him. He talks too much."

Fight Prospects

Superbon later welcomed the prospect of facing Carrillo after the Scot's victory over Zhou. Speaking to ONE’s Thai-language website, the kickboxing champion said Carrillo’s move into the ruleset had opened the door for a match. "I’m ready to face Nico whether it’s Muay Thai or kickboxing, and I don’t think it would be a difficult fight," Superbon said.

The match-up has not been announced. Superbon has been sidelined by injury since a planned title defence against Liu Mengyang was scrapped in May. ONE is also running a featherweight kickboxing Grand Prix to establish his next challenger.

Carrillo, however, made his own position clear after improving his ONE stats to eight wins from nine appearances. The featherweight Muay Thai champion told the Bangkok Post backstage he had no interest in taking another kickboxing "side fight" or entering the Grand Prix. He would only return to the ruleset for an immediate shot at Superbon’s belt. "I want to defend my belt. I want to fight for championships," Carrillo said. "If they give me the offer to fight for the championship in kickboxing, then yes. But I’m not taking any more fights."