“It is what it is” - Jonathan Haggerty says there’s no point in agonizing over 49-second loss to Superlek
British striker Jonathan Haggerty was disappointed after being stopped inside the opening minute of his most recent fight. However, he said what is done is done and he has since moved on.
'The General' lost the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title to Superlek Kiatmoo9 in their super fight on Sept. 6 at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., by way of knockout in 49 seconds with a solid elbow to the head.
In an interview on the Sky Sports MMA Club Podcast, which was uploaded on Sept. 27, Jonathan Haggerty shared what he had to go through in the aftermath of the tough loss and how is trying to make his way back from it.
The Englishman said:
"I was disappointed, gutted for the first, I'd say, three days. Keep going over scenarios in my head, 'What if I did this, what if I'd done this?' But, it is what it is. That's what I tell myself, it is what it is, and you'll be back. I've had a lot of support from this fight, which I'm grateful for."
The defeat at ONE 168 saw Haggerty lose his standing as a double ONE world champion as he also holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing gold. It also stopped his impressive winning run to six.
Superlek, meanwhile, climbed to two-sport world champion status, adding the bantamweight Muay Thai world title to the flyweight kickboxing strap already in his possession.
The full replay of ONE 168: Denver is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in North America.
Jonathan Haggerty looks to defend bantamweight kickboxing belt
After losing the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title in his last match, Jonathan Haggerty now looks to defend the division's kickboxing gold.
The 27-year-old Orpington, England native claimed the vacant kickboxing gold in November last year over bantamweight MMA king Fabricio Andrade in a super title fight at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. He won the contest by way of second-round knockout to become a two-sport world champion.
Following his lost at ONE 168: Denver last month, Haggerty said he hopes to defend the kickboxing strap next, and it does not matter who is up against.
Hot on the trail of Haggerty and his kickboxing belt are a host of contenders, including the returning Ilias Ennahachi, a former flyweight kickboxing champion who recently beat Japanese Hiroki Akimoto by decision.
Also waiting for their shot is No. 1 contender Wei Rui of China and former bantamweight kickboxing champion Petchtanong Petchfergus of Thailand.