Zhou “Qilin” Jiaqiang did not choose martial arts because he dreamed of glory as a child. He chose it because he was staring down a future with no clear path forward, and fighting was the only door he could open.
The 26-year-old Chinese striker makes his highly anticipated promotional debut against reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Nico “King of the North” Carrillo in a featherweight kickboxing contest at ONE Fight Night 46 on Prime Video, live in U.S. primetime on Friday, August 14, from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
It marks Carrillo’s first-ever kickboxing matchup under the ONE Championship banner.
Before he shares the ring with a ONE World Champion in his promotional debut, here is everything you need to know about the Xingwu Innovation Fight Club standout, from his difficult beginnings in Henan to the ambitions now pulling him toward the global stage.
A Difficult Childhood That Forced His Hand
Zhou was born in Zhumadian, Henan, and by his own account his early years were shaped far more by struggle than by opportunity. School did not come easily to him, and as those academic setbacks piled up, so did his fear of what life might look like without a clear direction.
Instead of moving through life without direction, Zhou decided as a young teenager to commit himself fully to martial arts. He never attended university, choosing instead to pour every ounce of his energy into a discipline that offered him structure at a time when little else did.
He explained:
“As a child, struggling academically and fearing a future with no prospects, I made the decisive choice to pursue martial arts. My journey was marked by grueling training, setbacks, injuries, and plenty of skepticism.
“Repeated defeats in the ring never broke me; instead, they forged my resilience. Coupled with the dedicated guidance of my coaches — who taught me perseverance and how to think calmly — these experiences shaped the mindset I possess today as a professional fighter.”
From Sanda To A Professional Kickboxing Career
Zhou’s combat sports journey began not in kickboxing, but in Sanda, China’s own combat discipline, before he eventually transitioned into the sport that would come to define his career. Like many of his decisions early in life, the switch was driven by necessity.
Entering formal training as a teenager, Zhou saw martial arts as a way to build both his body and his mental fortitude at a time when he was still searching for direction. What started as an attempt to strengthen his physique and sharpen his willpower gradually hardened into a genuine career ambition.
By 2019, that ambition became reality. Zhou made his professional debut in a domestic commercial combat sports event in China, officially launching a career that would go on to produce a striking record of 20-6 against some of the toughest competition on the regional circuit, including a 67-kilogram title win at the Wulin New Generation League and the New Generation of Martial Arts Championship at the same weight.
He recalled:
“I started out practicing Sanda and later transitioned to kickboxing. I began formal martial arts training in my teens, simply because I didn’t want to be left without a future path. I chose combat sports hoping to hone my physique and strengthen my willpower, and eventually resolved to pursue a career in professional combat sports.
“My first professional fight took place in 2019; stepping into the ring for a domestic commercial combat sports event marked the official start of my career as a professional fighter.”
The Meaning Behind His Nickname
Every detail of Zhou’s persona carries intention, and his nickname is no exception. In Chinese culture, the Qilin is a mythical creature long associated with strength, prosperity, and good omens, a symbol whose appearance is said to signal fortune on the horizon.
For Zhou, adopting the name was never just about branding. It reflects a hope he carries into every fight, not only for himself, but for everyone watching who has placed their expectations on his shoulders as he steps onto the global stage.
He shared:
“The Qilin symbolizes strength and auspiciousness; its arrival heralds good fortune. I hope to bring good luck — both to myself and to everyone else — while also living up to the expectations people have for me.”
Preparing For A ONE World Champion On Debut
There is no gentle introduction awaiting Zhou in ONE. His promotional debut arrives immediately against Carrillo, a Scottish powerhouse with a 30-4 record and a well-earned reputation as one of the finest finishers on the planet. It is a baptism by fire for any fighter walking through the door for the first time.
Zhou has studied his opponent closely, and he understands exactly what kind of threat Carrillo represents. The reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion thrives on forward pressure, backing opponents up with heavy hands and dangerous knees that have ended fights before they reached the later rounds.
He explained:
“My opponent, Nico Carrillo, is a powerful fighter who excels at maintaining forward pressure; his heavy punches and clinch knees pose a serious threat. I plan to use footwork to maintain a safe distance and prevent him from closing in comfortably, while landing precise counter-strikes to disrupt his offensive rhythm and avoid getting drawn into a close-range brawl.”
Where Carrillo brings power and pressure, Zhou believes his own game offers a different kind of complexity, one built on variety instead of singular strength.
The 26-year-old points to his ability to attack from multiple angles and levels as the trait that could give the ONE World Champion problems he has not faced before in his career.
He continued:
“My offensive options are more varied, featuring multi-level strikes using punches, kicks, and knees; I possess an excellent sense of distance and greater mobility, allowing for a more diverse range of tactical choices.”
For a fighter who once feared a future with no direction, the goals ahead of him now could not be clearer.
Beating Carrillo in his very first ONE appearance would be a statement in itself, but Zhou is already looking further down the road, toward gold of his own and a legacy that extends beyond his name.
He concluded:
“My immediate goal is to win this ONE Championship debut and establish a foothold on the international stage. My long-term goal is to contend for the ONE Championship World Title, showcasing the strength of Chinese kickboxers to the world and making myself a household name.”