Jonathan Haggerty says worrying less about weight helps him focus more on a spectacular finish against Vladimir Kuzmin

Jonathan Haggerty is already finding positives from moving up a weight class.

After pulling out of two fights this year, Haggerty has decided to leave the flyweight Muay Thai division on a two-win streak and join the bantamweights. The former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion was speaking with The MMA Superfan and had this to say about the mental relief of changing divisions:

“I feel a lot more motivated, you know? Not having to think about the weight too much. Obviously, I’ve got to cut down a bit - going on a diet and eating clean, as always. I’m quite a good athlete like that. But it’s just not having to worry about the weight. It’s just all focused on knocking out Vladimir Kuzmin.”

Haggerty fought all six ONE Championship fights at flyweight before moving up. ‘The General’ will take on Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE on Prime Video 4, which could set up the former flyweight king with a ranked opponent if he can beat the Russian.

Check out Jonathan Haggerty training during an Instagram video below:

Watch The MMA Super-Fan interview Jonathan Haggerty below:

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Jonathan Haggerty details reasoning for moving up in weight

Jonathan Haggerty is leaving the flyweight division on a two-win streak after beating Mongkolpetch Petchyindee earlier this year. During the same interview, the 25-year-old had this to say about pulling out of the flyweight World Grand Prix and moving up to bantamweight:

"The last time I made 61 kilos, I made the weight, but it's really the hyrdration, really. Just keeping myself hydrated, it's difficult to keep the balance. The last time I made 61 kilos against Mongkolpetch [Petchyindee], I felt absolutely unreal. And in the next one, you know, my body must have just grown.

He continued:

I had a 12-week camp for Walter Goncalves and I started to fade in the last bit. I started to peak just a little bit early and, yeah you know, it was hard. I was doing it all by myself and I thought, 'I cannot afford to just not fight again this year. Let me go to bantamweight...Let me knock on their door.' Yeah man, I'm excited. Who knows, it might be the new me. "

The ONE bantamweight Muay Thai division just got more intriguing with the addition of Haggerty. ‘The General’ is always in exciting fights, and he has an opportunity to put the division on notice at ONE on Prime Video 4.