ONE World Champion Breaks Down Lethal Push Kick Game

ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty has pulled back the curtain on the weapon that has derailed opponents throughout his career.

The 29-year-old British titleholder defends his belt against Japanese challenger, and Joe Rogan favorite, Yuki Yoza at ONE Samurai 1 on Wednesday, April 29, and his push kick game is set to play a central role once again.

Yoza arrives as one of the most exciting challengers in the bantamweight kickboxing division, carrying a 22-2 career record and three victories from three ONE appearances. His crushing leg kicks have made life difficult for every opponent he has faced in the promotion, and Haggerty knows exactly what kind of threat is coming his way.

Jonathan Traces Push Kick Mastery to Days in Muay Thai

The push kick, known in Muay Thai as the teep, has been part of Jonathan Haggerty’s game for as long as he can remember. The British champion did not develop it as a specific counter to certain opponents or situations. It grew naturally from the foundations laid during his earliest years in the sport.

“My teeps were just part of my game from a very young age. I was building that technique from the very beginning. I was quite tall for my weight category growing up through the ranks in the UK, and using the teep was quite effective,” Jonathan Haggerty said.

That early advantage has since evolved into one of the most reliable weapons in his entire striking arsenal. The champion holds a 23-5 career record and a 9-3 ONE mark, having won seven of his last eight bouts, and the teep has been a constant throughout.

Jonathan Haggerty Warns Yoza He Will Feel Full Force of Teeps in Japan

The Englishman has left little doubt about how prominent his push kicks will be when the two meet inside the Ariake Arena. Jonathan Haggerty is not approaching the Yoza challenge with any intention of hiding or limiting a weapon that has worked effectively throughout his entire career. If anything, the challenger’s aggressive, forward-pressing style makes the teep more valuable than ever.

“As you guys have seen, I’ve never stopped using them. It continues to work, and against someone like Yuki, who really loves getting in range, he’ll be feeling the full force of it in Japan. Those teeps will be there from start to finish. On his face, the body, and maybe everywhere else I can hit him with it,” he explained.

Against a challenger like Yoza, who loves to press forward and work at close range with his leg kicks, the push kick’s ability to disrupt rhythm and control distance takes on even greater importance.

Timing Real Secret Behind Jonathan Haggerty’s Most Effective Weapon

For all the years Jonathan Haggerty has spent developing his push kick, his explanation of what makes it work is surprisingly straightforward. The champion has identified a single quality that elevates the teep from a routine tool into something opponents consistently struggle to handle throughout a full fight.

“Honestly, it’s just the timing. Knowing when to throw it and not just wasting it by throwing it randomly. It’s straightforward, and I guess that’s what I love about it. The simplicity of throwing it and the timing, which helps with it being accurate,” he said.

Haggerty began his Muay Thai journey at the age of 7, building his craft through the ranks in the United Kingdom before going on to become a former ONE Flyweight and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion.

ONE Samurai 1 takes place on Wednesday, April 29, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Stay tuned to MMASucka for full broadcast details as they are confirmed.