“I grew up a little bit” - Champ-champ Jonathan Haggerty explains how a Facebook name change led to the creation of his nickname
Fighters' nicknames often differ in origins, and two-sport king Jonathan Haggerty's alter ego is certainly one of the most intriguing.
Haggerty coached his younger brother Freddie in the latter's strawweight Muay Thai match against Kaichon Sor Yingcharoenkarnchang at ONE Friday Fights 72 when he had a backstage interview with Frank Kittipong.
ONE Championship's trusted Thai translator took the chance to ask Haggerty about his 'The General' nickname, and the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion finally shed light on his militaristic moniker.
Jonathan Haggerty explained that it all began in his old Facebook profile during his adolescent years and how one of the local promotions in his native United Kingdom decided to use that in his entrance.
He said:
"I'll be honest, so when I was young I put it as my name on Facebook, The General. No reason, don't know why. Then I had a fight one time in the ring and the announcer must've been on my Facebook and had seen that name, so he introduced me as that. So ever since then, I've fought, and when it was announced 'Oh I like that name.' Then I started knocking people out, and I thought 'Oh this could stick,' so it just fits in nicely.
Haggerty added that he ultimately deleted the account:
"[I made it] when I was about 12. I think I took it out, I grew up a little bit, I grew up a little bit."
Despite erasing his old Facebook account from existence, Haggerty has come to be known as 'The General' throughout his storied career.
Jonathan Haggerty defends Muay Thai gold against Superlek in Denver super fight
While he may have never been in the military, Haggerty displays immense bravery inside the cage and he'll bring that courageous nature once more when he defends one of his belts against Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Jonathan Haggerty will defend the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title against the ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion at ONE 168: Denver on September 6 at Ball Arena.
Tickets for ONE 168 are available at Ticketmaster.