“I want that belt” - Jonathan Haggerty chose Muay Thai over MMA, for now

Jonathan Haggerty reached a very critical crossroads this year. With a couple of event cancelations over the last few months due to “medical reasons,” it seemed like Haggerty had a few things he needed to resolve.

Fortunately, with the help of his team, ‘The General’ came to a clear decision of continuing the work he started in Muay Thai rather than diving into MMA as he had once intended to do.

Following up with The MMA Superfan this week, Jonathan Haggerty was asked if MMA was still on the cards for him, despite recently entering the bantamweight division in Muay Thai.

He responded by saying:

“The plan was, I sat down with my team, and there were two options. We can go bantamweight Muay Thai or we can go fully into MMA. I chose bantamweight Muay Thai because I feel like I want to get the belt again at Muay Thai. I’m destined to get that. I want that belt, especially the new belt. We chose Muay Thai.”

Jonathan Haggerty had no issues putting on the pounds during his training camp for his bantamweight Muay Thai clash with Russia’s Vladimir Kuzmin. The British striker is expected to make his bantamweight debut on Friday, November 18 at ONE on Prime Video 4.

Feeling stronger and more powerful at 145lbs, Haggerty can’t wait to test the waters and surprise fans with a new and improved version of himself come fight night.

The 25-year-old star added:

“We’re going to see how it goes. I feel like it’s going to be great. I feel like my body is going to hold up well.”

Watch the full interview with Haggerty below:

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Jonathan Haggerty isn’t intimidated by what Vladimir Kuzmin has to offer at ONE on Prime Video 4

Jonathan Haggerty knows what he’s about, having competed against the world’s best Muay Thai strikers in his young professional career. With that said, facing Vladimir Kuzmin in December doesn’t make Haggerty flinch one bit.

Before becoming the ONE flyweight world titleholder, the Englishman turned heads in his ONE debut against current strawweight Muay Thai world champion Joseph Lasiri in January 2019.

Winning the battle by decision, Haggerty would eventually earn a spot to fight legendary Thai striker Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the world title. After 15 minutes of non-stop action, ‘The General’ edged the decision victory in May 2019 to claim the world title.

Only second to Rodtang Jitmuangnon, who’s the reigning flyweight king, Haggerty knows he’s on a whole different level. He believes Kuzmin is in for a rude awakening.

In the same interview, Haggerty continued to say:

“I’m a fighter and I’ve been fighting for 17 years. Like I said, there’s not one fighter out there that can faze me.”