When Jonathan Haggerty knocked out Nong-O Hama to become the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, the bullseye on his back was immediately hit with many arrows. Former opponents and top contenders all began taking aim. The ONE Championship star has taken it all in stride and wears it as a badge of honor.
“It’s fun having the belt and having a target on your back. It’s quite funny seeing everyone calling out your name. I’m top of the food chain, so I expect it. It’s a good thing, really. It means that I’m doing something right. Everyone wants a piece of me. If no one wanted to fight me, I’d be a little bit worried,” Haggerty told ONE.
Haggerty will return to the global stage on Friday, October 6, at ONE Fight Night 15. However, he will not be defending his title. Instead, he will go for two-sport glory against ONE Bantamweight World Champion Fabricio Andrade when the two meet for the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship.
In the meantime, Haggerty is happy to watch his name batted around from the likes of Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Superlek Kiatmoo9, and Liam Harrison. The Brit believes being the most wanted man also makes him the most desirable to be at the top of the marquee. Most importantly, he feels that when the bell rings, his skill and power will prove all of them wrong.
“I don’t blame them. Nong-O destroyed them all, and now I’ve got the belt, they think they’ve got more of an opportunity to get it. I feel like I’m the cash cow now. I’ve got the belt, and they think that I’m an easy opponent. But let me tell you, it’s a different thing when we’re in there and you’re getting hit by me. So, they can all keep thinking it’s easy. Their time will come,” Haggerty stated.
If any one individual callout grabbed his attention, it was by Harrison. The 26-year-old was not expecting the harsh words from his fellow Brit. However, the prospect of a ONE event in Britain with both men headlining is certainly enticing to “The General.”
“It was all cool between us until I heard [Harrison] on a podcast saying he wants to punch my face in, saying I’m a little kid. But the realness of it is that when we get in there, I will be the one punching his face in. So, that’s all that matters,” the 26-year-old said.
But many more have been calling for a shot against Haggerty, including former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi Ramazanov. Haggerty was less impressed with the Russian after his loss to Nong-O. Regardless, he said he would also be willing to give him a shot.
“I forgot about that guy a long time ago. He got obliterated by Nong-O. If he wants to get obliterated by me, he’s more than welcome,” Haggerty said.
There is no shortage of contenders awaiting Haggerty. But first will be the Brit’s shot at becoming a two-sport king. Until that passes, the cavalcade of contenders will have to pitch themselves to “The General” and become the most attractive option.
ONE Fight Night 15 airs live on Friday, October 6. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Prime Video. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers based in the U.S. and Canada.
