How Jonathan Haggerty Is Changing Lives With Martial Arts

Jonathan “The General” Haggerty knows first-hand the benefits that martial arts can have on a young person, and he is committed to paying that forward to the next generation.

The 22-year-old Londoner will challenge for the biggest prize in martial arts when he takes on Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE: FOR HONOR in Jakarta, Indonesia on Friday, 3 May, but that is not his only focus.

He remains committed to his students during his own preparations.

Haggerty’s father, John, opened up Team Underground in Southeast London as a hub for the community. “The General” has grown up on its mats, and matured into a mentor and coach for the local youth.

“[The gym] opens at 9am and shuts at 12 at night,” Haggerty explains.

“There’ll always be someone you know in there – there’s a good group of kids that come in and don’t train, they just sit down and do what they want to do, but if they weren’t there, they’d be outing doing [bad] things.”

The Roar Combat League World Champion fits in his time at the family gym every day around his intense training schedule, and his success has served as an inspiration to the newcomers who walk through the door. He is also hands-on in helping to coach and build his own army of champions.

The ONE World Title challenger is as invested in their achievements in the ring as his own, so no matter what his schedule is, he makes sure that he is there for them.

“I’ve got a teenage class I take on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Haggerty explains.

“There are about 20 kids that come down, and we’ve got a good few champions – World Champions, British Champions. I play a big part in their career.

“We take them up to competitions every two weeks. Keeping them in the gym is the main thing, and getting them a fight makes them want to come into the gym and dedicate themselves.”

You could understand if the fast-rising superstar struggled to keep up to his coaching duties when he is preparing for huge contests on the global stage for martial arts, but he makes sure their trust in him is repaid with his presence.

Not every young person that walks through the door has someone they can rely on to be there for them in the outside world, but “The General” has made it his mission to be a consistent, positive presence in some of the youngsters’ lives.

“I can’t drop them out because they have fights coming up, just like I’ve got a fight coming up,” he states.

“I wouldn’t like to be dropped out, so I keep my teenagers in check all the time.”

Haggerty and his father have made a hugely positive contribution to their area in recent years, and his own rise up the ranks will serve as motivation to his burgeoning team of young martial artists.

Team Underground continues to influence people to be successful in the ring and in life as the coaches and mentors use martial arts as their tool to instill discipline, commitment, and focus into some of London’s youth.

That gives “The General” a sense of satisfaction that rivals his professional victories, and that is why he will continue to remain grounded and give back to his community.

“It makes me feel good that I’m directing them in the right path,” he adds.

“Seeing their parents happy, having them come up to me and thank me feels really good. It’s always good to have that impact on people, to feel like people want you there.”

Haggerty is hands-on, leads by example, and is respected by everyone he takes under his wing.

When he steps into the ring at the Istora Senayan this Friday, 3 May, Team Underground on Old Kent Road will be packed as the team will assemble to get behind “The General” from half a world away.