WATCH: Multi-time champ Jonathan Haggerty captures first ONE world title in bloody clash against legendary Sam-A
Before Jonathan Haggerty became a two-sport bantamweight world champion, he was the former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion after he defeated Sam-A Gaiyanghadao in May 2019 at ONE: For Honor.
Highlights of this championship clash between Haggerty and Sam-A were reposted by ONE Championship on Instagram recently, and they wrote the video's caption with:
"Coming in HOT 🔥 Will "The General" successfully defend his bantamweight Muay Thai gold against Superlek at ONE 168: Denver? @jhaggerty_"
'The General' exchanged strike-for-strike with the Thai icon throughout five rounds, but his powerful strikes and combinations were enough for him to secure the nod from the judges and give him the unanimous decision victory.
Haggerty peppered Sam-A with multiple elbow strikes, boxing combinations, and kicks to secure his second victory under the world's largest martial arts organization and ultimately become the new undisputed ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion.
Four years after that world championship breakthrough from Haggerty, he successfully moved up to the bantamweight division and captured the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing world titles.
Jonathan Haggerty to defend Muay Thai world title belt against Superlek Kiatmoo9
Haggerty is fresh off his first successful world title defense of his ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title against Felipe Lobo in February 2024 during the main event of ONE Fight Night 19 via third-round TKO finish.
Now, the Londoner is preparing for his second championship defense against the challenge of reigning ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 168: Denver card on September 6, which will happen inside the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Aside from a successful world title defense, the 27-year-old British combat sports superstar is also looking to avenge his 2018 loss to 'The Kicking Machine' at Yokkao and even their head-to-head score to 1-1.
ONE 168: Denver goes down at the Ball Arena at U.S. primetime on Sept. 6. Tickets for the event are now available on sale on Ticketmaster.