“He’s got the belt, let’s have it” - Jonathan Haggerty says Nico Carrilo fight still possible if he unseats Superlek for divisional gold
Despite losing the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title, Jonathan Haggerty still sees a path to a potential clash with top-ranked contender Nico Carrillo.
Last month, 'The General' stepped into ONE 168: Denver as a two-sport ONE world champion. 49 seconds into his scrap with Superlek, Haggerty hit the mat via a perfectly timed inside elbow from 'The Kicking Machine'.
As exciting as Superlek's win was, it dashed the hopes of seeing Haggerty and Carrillo go toe-to-toe on martial arts' biggest global stage—for now.
Appearing on the Sky Sports MMA Club podcast, Haggerty suggested that a scrap with 'The King of the North' could still be in his future, assuming Carrillo unseats Superlek as the new ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion.
"Hopefully, Nico now goes on to fight against Superlek, wins the belt, and then there we go, we’re back in the same position, he’s got the belt, let’s have it."
With Rodtang and Takeru Segawa gunning for a rematch with Superlek, Carrillo could be waiting a while for his opportunity at the title.
Of course, Nico Carrillo hopes that is not the case.
If you missed any of the action, ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch the ONE 168: Denver replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.
Has Nico Carrillo done enough to get a title shot, or will he have to wait in line behind Rodtang, Takeru, and Jonathan Haggerty?
Carrillo is currently riding a massive wave of momentum via four-straight knockouts in his first four appearances with the promotion.
Last year, he earned KOs against Kurkan Karabag and Muangthai PK Saenchai before bagging the biggest victory of his career—securing a sensational second-round comeback finish against Thai legend and former ONE world champion Nong-O Hama.
Since then, 'The King of the North' has added another big W to his resume via another second-round knockout against Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 23. That has earned Carrillo the right to be ONE Championship's top-ranked contender in the loaded bantamweight Muay Thai division.
Has Carrillo done enough to be the first man to challenge Superlek, or will the Scottish sensation have to get in line behind the likes of Rodtang, Takeru, and Jonathan Haggerty?