‘They’re Not Going To Get Back Up’ – Haggerty Plans To Showcase New Knockout Power At Bantamweight
Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty is excited to display added strength and fight-ending power in his move to a higher weight class.
At ONE on Prime Video 4, the British superstar will make his debut at bantamweight in an intriguing battle against Russian striker Vladimir Kuzmin.
As Haggerty prepares for the clash with Kuzmin on November 18, he’s confident that size won’t be an issue.
In fact, he believes he’ll pack even more of a punch than he ever did at flyweight, where he earned each of his victories via decision.
“The General” explained:
“I know stepping up a division, it’s going to be harder to put them away. But I’ve got a saying: In the flyweight division, I was struggling to keep them on the canvas. But now that I’m in the bantamweight division and I’m bigger, they’re going to stay down and they’re not going to get back up.”
As a former ONE World Champion, Haggerty is used to having a target on his back.
And while athletes in ONE’s stacked bantamweight Muay Thai division might think they can overpower the former flyweight, the 25-year-old London native says they’ll be sorely mistaken.
Haggerty stated:
“I’m expecting these guys to think that they can outmuscle me, you know? They need to remember I’m coming up a division, but I’m not just going to be a flyweight in there with them. I’m going to be putting on mass. I’m going to be gaining strength. I’m going to be exactly the same as these guys.”
Against Kuzmin, the Brit plans to use the same slick Muay Thai style that earned him the gold at flyweight.
However, his foe will be no walk in the park. A durable and well-built bantamweight, the Russian has utilized powerful punching combinations and crafty footwork throughout two impressive appearances inside the Circle.
Those fights include a dominant debut victory and a narrow split-decision loss to former Lumpinee Muay Thai World Champion Muangthai PK.Saenchai.
Despite Kuzmin’s obvious talent, Haggerty remains confident in his own skill set:
“You know, it is a tricky opponent for my first bantamweight fight, but like I said, I’m always ready. I will be ready. But I’m expecting him to come out and put the pressure on me with his hands. He can try outmuscling me, but I feel like the counterstrikes and my Muay Thai experience will kick in.”
Haggerty Believes He’d Be ‘A Real Challenge’ For Nong-O
Not looking past the adversary before him at ONE on Prime Video 4, Jonathan Haggerty can’t help but imagine himself against other elite bantamweights as he tries to kick-start another run toward the gold.
And naturally, he envisions himself sharing the Circle with reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion and legendary Thai striker Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
There aren’t many tougher matchups in the Muay Thai world, but “The General” would expect to trouble the longtime divisional king.
He said:
“I don’t want to think ahead, but I really do think my footwork and my style will be a real challenge for Nong-O Gaiyanghadao. My youth, my fitness, and the way I’m going to feel now at bantamweight, the more confident I’m going to be. I’m going to be fit. So yeah, I just feel like my footwork and my youth will be a challenge for Nong-O.”
Of course, Haggerty understands that even with a dominant showing against Kuzmin, he’s unlikely to earn an immediate World Title shot.
With that in mind, he’s targeting one potential opponent who could propel him into the bantamweight Muay Thai rankings – Muangthai.
The confident Brit added:
“I’d like to find him next because I think he’s a good name to beat. Then that just puts me straight in the top five.”
November 18 | ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee | 8 p.m. ET | How To Watch
- Fans in the U.S. and Canada can watch for free with an Amazon Prime subscription!
