The Complete History Of The ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title
To hold the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship means standing at the summit of a division that refuses to settle for the ordinary.
Since its inception in 2019, the 145-pound crown has attracted the most gifted strikers in combat sports. The athletes who ultimately claimed those 26 pounds of gold did so through immense sacrifice and an undeniable, warrior-level resolve.
That prestigious lineage reaches its next milestone on Wednesday, April 29, inside the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. That night, reigning king Jonathan “The General” Haggerty defends the coveted strap against surging Japanese star Yuki Yoza at ONE SAMURAI 1.
Before the next chapter in this story of gold unfolds in the world’s largest martial arts organization, we revisit the complete history of the division’s highly sought throne.
Alaverdi Ramazanov Cements His Place As Inaugural King
No telling of the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship’s story begins anywhere other than with Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov.
After securing three victories in ONE, the Russian stalwart earned his shot at history against “Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong at ONE: Mark of Greatness in December 2019.
The two combatants traded heavy leather until Ramazanov’s jab-cross combination dropped Zhang in the third frame. His push kicks and knees dictated the pace through the championship rounds, securing a unanimous decision and establishing him as the division’s first ruler.
That reign, however, didn’t last long, as “One Punch Man” Capitan stripped Ramazanov of the gold in his very next outing.
As brief as his tenure was, Ramazanov was the first name written into the division’s history, and the foundation he laid gave everyone who followed something to build upon.
Capitan’s Explosive Power Electrifies The Division
Tales of Capitan’s finishing power already echoed throughout Thailand’s local Muay Thai circuit.
A six-second promotional debut knockout of Petchtanong Petchfergus thrust “One Punch Man” straight into contention for Ramazanov’s throne. At ONE: Unbreakable in January 2021, the Thai striker systematically chopped down the champion’s legs before delivering a right hook to the body and a straight right to the head to score a second-round knockout.
Just like that, a new king was crowned.
His first title defense at ONE: Revolution revealed a highly tactical side to his game.
Against the iconic Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout, Capitan imposed his will with body kicks and sharp boxing combinations to retain the belt via unanimous decision.
A year later, Hiroki Akimoto brought his reign to an end. Capitan’s time at the top made the bantamweight kickboxing division must-watch entertainment, setting a standard that would carry forward.
Hiroki Akimoto’s Technical Genius Stuns The Striking World
As a Kyokushin Karate black belt turned elite kickboxer, Hiroki Akimoto brought a fluidity and technical brilliance unlike anything the division had previously witnessed.
Five victories across six promotional outings made a shot at the World Title undeniable. At ONE X in March 2022, Akimoto dissected Capitan with surgical precision. Flawless footwork and sharp range management negated the champion’s knockout threat, while relentless low kicks wore down his base. The speed, the pressure, and the timing simply never let up.
After five grueling rounds, Akimoto brought the crown back to Japan via unanimous decision.
However, the gold slipped right through his fingers in his first World Title defense, with Petchtanong ushering in a Thai reign.
Akimoto may not have held the throne long, but his striking artistry and mesmerizing fighting style captivated purists and casual fans alike.
Petchtanong Petchfergus Adds The Ultimate Prize To His Legacy
Boasting over 400 career bouts, Petchtanong Petchfergus had conquered virtually every stage the sport had to offer, and ONE 163 in November 2022 finally gave the Thai veteran his moment.
Against Akimoto, he delivered a masterclass in ring generalship. Brilliant switch-hitting kept the Japanese champion guessing, while pinpoint knees to the body and head inflicted serious damage as the rounds progressed.
By the final bell, the visual toll on Akimoto’s body told the entire story, and a split decision delivered the gold to Petchtanong at last.
Circumstances beyond the ring, however, cut Petchtanong’s reign short, and the belt was vacated.
At 40 years old, the Thai’s story is far from over, and Petchtanong continues to chase gold at this stage in his career. While he no longer has the strap draped over his shoulders, Petchtanong’s quest to reclaim the lost crown continues.
Jonathan Haggerty Reaches Icon Status With Two-Sport Glory
By the time the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title became vacant, Jonathan Haggerty had already conquered two Muay Thai divisions and established himself as one of the promotion’s biggest superstars. Yet despite the heights he reached, the hunger only grew for “The General.”
At ONE Fight Night 16 in November 2023, he delivered the division’s most iconic moment to date. Across the ring stood former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade. Haggerty remained entirely unfazed, opening the bout with a left high kick before blitzing the wobbled Brazilian with a barrage of punches to seal a second-round finish.
A rare two-sport ONE World Champion was minted.
Haggerty followed that performance by defending the belt against “Demon Blade” Wei Rui at ONE 171, snapping the Chinese star’s 21-fight winning streak with a methodical, five-round striking clinic to win by unanimous decision.
Now, Tokyo awaits. On April 29, “The General” defends his crown against Yoza, with another signature victory and an ever-growing legacy on the line.
