"I would always say the champion" - Jonathan Haggerty says he will never back down from fighting the very best in ONE

Jonathan Haggerty's defeat to Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 168: Denver had done little to dampen his spirit.

The English martial artist surrendered his bantamweight Muay Thai gold and two-sport world championship status to the Thai megastar in under a minute of their world title tilt inside Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 6.

During a recent appearance on the Sky Sports MMA Club Podcast, Haggerty declared that he's far from done hunting a dance amongst some of the best names in the world's largest martial arts organization.

The 27-year-old said:

"If you were to ask me on the spot who I want next, I would always say the champion. I always go to a division to fight the champion. What am I going in the division for? What am I in the league for if not be the champion of that league?"

Despite losing one of his prized possessions, the Londoner still reigns atop the bantamweight kickboxing division. He hopes to defend that 26 pounds of gold upon his return.

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Jonathan Haggerty not putting up any excuses for early KO loss to Superlek

Although he may have fallen short for the first time in almost four years, Jonathan Haggerty admits he left no stone unturned in his bid to even things against newly crowned two-sport world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9.

In the aformentioned exchange, the Knowlesy Academy and Team Underground star continued:

"It was a great experience. We felt great, running up the mountains. I think we got down a month before anyone else, so we were well prepared. There was no stone left unturned. I still say it to this day, even though the performance wasn't there. But yeah, fight week was brilliant."

The ONE 168: Denver replay is available for free to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada. The Ball Arena card on Sept. 6 marked ONE Championship's second on-ground show in the region.