Jonathan Haggerty has been the name on everybody’s lips since he knocked out Nong-O Hama to win the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title in April.
Haggerty will next battle bantamweight MMA king Fabricio Andrade for the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE Fight Night 15 on Prime Video, and he should expect even more callouts if he claims gold in a second sport on Friday, October 6.
However, with the likes of Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Superlek Kiatmoo9, and many more all aiming to square off with “The General,” any new potential challengers would have to join a growing list of high-profile hopefuls.
Rather than taking it personally, Haggerty welcomes the interest, especially because it means his peers view him as the man to beat.
The English star told onefc.com:
“It’s fun having the belt and having a target on your back. It’s quite funny seeing everyone calling out your name. I’m top of the food chain, so I expect it.
“It’s a good thing, really. It means that I’m doing something right. Everyone wants a piece of me. If no one wanted to fight me, I’d be a little bit worried.”
Haggerty also believes there’s something else at play now he’s the king of the bantamweight Muay Thai ranks.
Nong-O had ruled the division with an iron fist until Haggerty shocked him with a first-round finish at ONE Fight Night 9 on Prime Video. With the Thai legend finally off the throne, “The General” thinks that contenders see the weight class through a new lens.
More specifically, he feels that his rivals view him as an easier route to the gold – but he is adamant this mindset will change once they get the chance to meet him in the ring.
Haggerty said:
“I don’t blame them. Nong-O destroyed them all, and now I’ve got the belt, they think they’ve got more of an opportunity to get it.
“I feel like I’m the cash cow now. I’ve got the belt, and they think that I’m an easy opponent. But let me tell you, it’s a different thing when we’re in there and you’re getting hit by me.
“So, they can all keep thinking it’s easy. Their time will come.”
Haggerty Fires Warning Shots At Liam Harrison, Alaverdi Ramazanov
Along with Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 – the reigning World Champions in ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai and kickboxing divisions, respectively – a slew of top ONE stars have registered their interest in Jonathan Haggerty.
For instance, Muay Thai icon Liam Harrison stated that he wants to bring a ONE Championship event to England to face off against his compatriot. And while the veteran has given credit to Haggerty’s achievements, the latter doesn’t feel like he’s getting the proper respect.
Combing that perceived slight with a desire to deliver the biggest all-English Muay Thai fight of all time to UK fans, the Londoner is eager to throw down once “Hitman” recovers from injury.
The 26-year-old said:
“It was all cool between us until I heard [Harrison] on a podcast saying he wants to punch my face in, saying I’m a little kid. But the realness of it is that when we get in there, I will be the one punching his face in. So, that’s all that matters.
“This fight would be for the fans. We’re here to give back to the fans who support us and give us love. If that’s what they want, then I’m buzzing to give it to them. I’m happy to sign the contract and get it on.”
Former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi Ramazanov has also called out the bantamweight Muay Thai king on Instagram.
Haggerty wouldn’t be opposed to squaring off with “Babyface Killer” either, and he’s confident that he would put the Russian in his place.
“The General” added:
“I forgot about that guy a long time ago. He got obliterated by Nong-O. If he wants to get obliterated by me, he’s more than welcome.”
