“Haggerty is a great champion” - Chatri Sityodtong says KO loss to Superlek doesn’t diminish Jonathan Haggerty’s reputation

Former double-champion Jonathan Haggerty may have lost one of his world titles but ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong believes the British superstar is still one of the best strikers on the planet. 'The General' relinquished the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title to Superlek Kiatmoo9 via knockout in the main event of ONE 168: Denver earlier this month at the Ball Arena.

Subsequently, Superlek captured champ-champ status and now holds both the ONE flyweight kickboxing and bantamweight Muay Thai world championships. During the virtual press conference for ONE Friday Fights 81, Sityodtong said the loss would never diminish Haggerty's status on the overall landscape of combat sports.

Sityodtong said:

"I think Haggerty is a great champion. I think he's still among the best pound-for-pound strikers on the planet. One loss doesn't tarnish who Jonathan Haggerty is as an athlete or as a person. You could see he was training the next week right away. He's always improving and leveling up, and he's got remarkable talent, and he's got a remarkable mindset, you know."

Jonathan Haggerty, a former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, still holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title and remains one of the best strikers of the current generation.

The 27-year-old has eight wins in ONE Championship and has a laundry list of names under his hit list.

Haggerty holds wins over ONE bantamweight MMA world champion Fabricio Andrade, Taiki Naito, Joseph Lasiri, and Thai legends Nong-O Hama and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.

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Jonathan Haggerty reflects on his heartbreaking loss to Superlek in Denver

It's never easy to lose a fight, but it's one of the cruel realities fighters face during their careers.

Jonathan Haggerty experienced such heartbreak when he lost to Superlek in 49 seconds during their Denver superfight at the Ball Arena.

In an interview with ONE Championship following his defeat, Haggerty vowed to come back a better fighter in his bid to reclaim his lost gold.

"Tough day at the office, but I dared to be great. I'll be back, I've been in this position before, and I'll definitely be back stronger than ever."