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Former ONE flyweight Muay Thai champion Jonathan Haggerty is looking to add another title to his collection, this time at bantamweight. But first, he must get past rising Russian contender Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE on Prime Video 4.
The 25-year-old is making the move up to bantamweight after withdrawing from back-to-back fights (due to illness) earlier in the year. Haggerty knows the importance of staking his claim in his first appearance.
In an exclusive conversation with SCMP MMA, 'The General' detailed his thoughts on the matchup with Kuzmin:
"He’s going to be tough, I’ve accepted that. But if I want to be at the top, I’ve got to face the top opponents. And I feel like I have what it takes to stop him."
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Kuzmin enters the bout having made just two appearances inside the ONE circle. In his most recent outing, the Russian striker lost a narrow split decision to Muangthai PK.Saenchai.
Check out Jonathan Haggerty's full interview with SCMP MMA below:
Jonathan Haggerty believes MMA fighters on ONE Championship's roster are scared of his striking prowess
While Haggerty is gearing up to make his bantamweight Muay Thai debut, he has his eyes on the MMA scene as well – and he isn't all that impressed. He told ONE:
“Yeah, I feel good. You know, I've looked at the opponents in MMA and I'm not taking nothing away from it, as it is a different sport and I've never been there so I can't really say, but I'm not too impressed. I think they'll be very scared of my striking and they will just turn into wrestlers.”
It's always intriguing to see a Muay Thai practitioner or kickboxer make the transition to MMA, and the same goes for Haggerty. Inserting him into ONE's bantamweight division would only add to the excitement.
For now, Haggerty has his crosshairs on the Muay Thai scene, including bantamweight champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, who is unbeaten inside the ONE circle.
Be sure to watch Jonathan Haggerty make his ONE bantamweight Muay Thai debut against Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE on Prime Video 4 on November 18 (US primetime), live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
