“One of my favorite fights in ONE” - Jonathan Haggerty looks back on his shocking victory over legendary Sam-A
Double ONE world champion Jonathan Haggerty has compiled an impressive body work in five years of competing in ONE Championship. One of his favorite victories came at the expense of Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.
'The General' took on Sam-A in May 2019 for the latter's flyweight Muay Thai world title. While it was only his second outing in the promotion, the Orpington, England native showed that he could hold his own against the best in the world with his topnotch skill set.
While considered the underdog heading into the contest, Jonathan Haggerty turned heads and surprised by pressing on the Thai veteran with much effectiveness, including dropping Sam-A twice, en route to securing the unanimous decision victory and being named new flyweight champion.
In a retrospective video he posted on YouTube, the 27-year-old Knowlesy Academy/Team Underground standout talked about Sam-A and its significance to his ONE Championship journey, saying:
"I still watch this fight back. Pretty much one of my favorite fights in ONE Championship, it's the knockdown. Did you know that was a jumping knee, and then out of nowhere, I just stuck a jab out there, and thankfully, it caught him. And, yeah, it rocked him."
Watch the video below:
After his victory over Sam-A, Jonathan Haggerty booked six wins in his next eight matches, winning the bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing world titles along the way to become a reigning two-sport world champion.
Jonathan Haggerty to defend ONE bantamweight Muay Thai gold in the U.S.
Jonathan Haggerty seeks to add more to his impressive ONE Championship feats by successfully defending his bantamweight Muay Thai world title later this year in the United States.
The British striker will stake the bantamweight gold for the second time against Thai superstar Superlek Kiatmoo9 in an all-champion clash at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 6.
Haggerty retained the world title he won in April last year back in February with a third-round TKO of Brazilian challenger Felipe Lobo.
Looking to cut his reign is Superlek, the ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion, who has been on a 10-match winning streak.
ONE 168: Denver will take place at the Ball Arena, home of the NBA's Denver Nuggets. Tickets for the event are already available on Ticketmaster. It will be broadcast in U.S. primetime over Amazon Prime Video.