‘I Believe I’m Unstoppable’ – Jonathan Haggerty Envisions Epic World Title Win Over Superlek At ONE 168: Denver
Reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty is eager to assert himself as the best pound-for-pound striker on the planet.
On September 6 in the main event of ONE 168: Denver, the hard-hitting Brit will defend his Muay Thai gold against a man who is widely considered the pound-for-pound king – Thai megastar and current ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Set to air live from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, that contest marks one of the biggest and most important Muay Thai fights in recent memory, pitting two World Champions at the top of their games against each other.
Now less than two weeks away from that blockbuster showdown, Haggerty spoke about what makes this matchup so special:
“You know, the opportunity to fight one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I do believe he’s one of the best up there. And just to get the opportunity to step in there with him – and just the fans, really. They’re going to have an explosive fight. They’re going to have an exciting night. I’m excited for the fans just to see me and Superlek come together. I feel like a lot of people wanted this fight, including myself.
“I feel our styles are the same. We’re both aggressive. We both come for the knockout. I’d say we’re both up there as pound-for-pound bests. He’s the best in flyweight. I’m the best in bantamweight. So, why not put us together and see who is the best?”
Given his dominant 10-fight winning streak and recent victories over global superstars Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa, it’s difficult to argue that Superlek isn’t the planet’s most dangerous striker.
However, Haggerty will enter the fight with an impressive winning streak of his own, which includes three straight stoppage victories in World Title contests.
Well aware of the tall task ahead, “The General” and his team have done their homework on Superlek:
“I believe in my coach, Christian Knowles, and he watches Superlek quite a lot, and we implement it in training a lot, not giving too much away.
“We know what his weaknesses are and his strengths. He likes his right side. His right side is his best attributes – his kicks, his elbows. So we’re here to exploit them on September 6.”
While he greatly respects his opponent, Haggerty fully expects to leave Denver with his 26 pounds of gold safely in tow.
He feels that if he performs to his fullest potential – just like he has en route to becoming a two-sport king – he will defeat Superlek when it matters the most:
“I know what I have to do. I know what I’m capable of. I put 100 percent in my training. My coaches believe in me. So as long as I’m 100 percent, I believe I’m unstoppable.”
Haggerty Wants More World Titles After ONE 168: Denver
Never one to shy away from big goals, Jonathan Haggerty has visions of adding even more gold to his trophy case.
Along with his current Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles at bantamweight, the Brit is also a former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Haggerty says the move up to bantamweight, where he’s gone undefeated so far, has been key to his recent success:
“So at flyweight, I was actually, say, 50 percent of myself. You know, I was tired, depleted. I wasn’t myself. But it just goes to show that staying at the top of the food chain at flyweight with no energy. Now that I’m at bantamweight, it’s where I’m supposed to be and I’m doing what I’m supposed to do – and that’s beat everybody.
“It’s a massive advantage, you know? Happy, eating what you want, obviously clean. No calorie deficit at the moment. So a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter, and that’s what I am right now. I’m a happy fighter and I’m dangerous.”
Despite the good vibes at bantamweight, Haggerty still toys with the idea of returning to flyweight.
And if he does drop down in weight, “The General” could set his sights on another World Title fight with Superlek:
“I always think about [returning to flyweight]. I mean, my dad always tells me I can do it, and who knows, once I beat Superlek, maybe I’ll go down to flyweight and challenge for his belt.”
Flyweight kickboxing gold isn’t the only new belt Haggerty has on his mind.
He next plans to defend his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles, but after that, he dreams of MMA and three-sport glory.
“The General” added:
“I want to defend my kickboxing belt. I don’t want to hold up the division for too long. You know, I’ve got both belts, Muay Thai and kickboxing, so I would like to keep active, defend the kickboxing belt, defend the Muay Thai belt, and then the MMA belt is definitely my mind.”
