Jonathan Haggerty promises blood and fire in his “Victory Mission” against Superlek Kiatmoo9 as he attempts to defend his French Muay Thai bantamweight belt in a single championship.
The two-time London champion holds the French Muay Thai and Kickboxing weight belts, having put the old belt on hold in a bout in Denver on the night of the sixth show.
His clash with the brilliant Thai known as 'The Kicking Machine' is a rematch from 2018, when the young Briton was defeated by a more experienced opponent, and Haggerty is ready to show Superlek just how much he has changed in the past six years.
“There's Miss Vinganca, Irmao,” said Haggerty. metro.co.uk“I don't guarantee myself that defeat, I learned a lot from it, more than any victory.
“I showed a little respect before naquela luta.” Actually, there was nothing I should have been involved in that fight, but since my coach believed in me, we qualified. It was really a win-win situation, one door dates and another opens. And so the fight ended and I was assigned to a single championship.
We've been 100% new fighters since then. I've learned a lot about what my style is and what doesn't. I've adapted to many styles. I've found myself not playing the blacksmith game. This was animated to show Superlek how different fighting will be.
Haggerty also hopes to showcase a completely different fighting style in the near future, and is excited to move into the world of mixed martial arts.
“You always want to do MMA,” he said. “I feel like you left me well without playing. If ONE Championship decides to give me a contract to fight to see how happy I will be to do it or as soon as possible. Let’s wait and see. Right now Superlek is defending the belt. But it’s very vital for me to be interested in MMA.
“I grew up in an MMA academy, so I always train and know the basics. A few months of jiu-jitsu defenses and a curfew and I'll be back soon.
The 27-year-old isn't ruling out an unexpected move from fighting to pro wrestling after forming a relationship with AEW star Malakai Black.
The Dutch fighter has experience in kickboxing and Muay Thai and, like Haggerty, has also been a professional freestyle fighter since childhood, so they support each other.
“For years he was an unconditional wrestling fan, he loved it,” he added. “I bought all the replica belts, and I would fight on my mother’s couch cushions.
“Malakai Black has taken care of me, he obviously loves Muay Thai, we have some Facetime, he supports me, he has my back and vice versa. It's incredible to have someone to support me.
On the possibility of entering the squared circle, Haggerty said: “I am fully in favour of that. That’s all. It seems certain and wonderful, so it’s time to do it soon.
Haggerty isn't thinking about MMA or wrestling this week, however, as he's fully focused on the task ahead of his four-plus weeks of acclimation in Denver before his second bout against Superleak.
He's only 27, has been training for 22 years, and lied about his identity as a teenager to make friends with adults and get cheaper passes.
“I have to choose between football and Muay Thai for the youth,” he said. “Nisa Idad, football is what every kid wants to do and I don’t know why, but I chose to raise a soko to my face, but now it’s worth it.”
There's more to come, but in the meantime this is the road to Denver, where he intends to deliver the best performance of his life and a fight to remember.
“I trained in karamba and didn’t turn to stone,” Eli said. “I know everyone says this, but it was the hardest camp yet.”
“We are looking to win, to retain our title and to unseat. We will be facing two of the greatest fighters in the world, but we will have the performance of a lifetime.
You'll see some kotofilo turning back, a little blood and maybe paralysis. Expect fireworks.
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