“The journey to take over” - Jonathan Haggerty says he carried a ton of pressure in ONE debut against Joseph Lasiri in 2019

Jonathan Haggerty now resides rarified in ONE Championship, but his journey to that hallowed space didn't come easy.

The reigning two-sport bantamweight world champion admitted that he once put immense pressure on himself when he made his ONE Championship debut in 2019.

Haggerty, who was then fighting in the flyweight division, fought then fellow future world champion Joseph Lasiri at ONE: Eternal Glory in January 2019 in Jakarta.

Although he captured the dominant unanimous decision, Haggerty said he felt tremendous pressure when he fought the future ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion.

In his retrospect video on his YouTube channel, Jonathan Haggerty discussed the undue stress he put on himself when he fought Lasiri and what it meant to him fighting on the big stage.

He said:

"So this is my debut fight for ONE Championship against Joseph Lasiri. There's a lot of pressure on this fight. You know, the debut, the UK [United Kingdom] guy coming to Asia, yeah, the journey to take over. Brings back some memories, this one."

Lasiri and Haggerty put on an insane barnburner befitting of two future world champions, but it was 'The General' who eventually got his hand raised via unanimous decision.

Haggerty then went on to capture the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title when he beat the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao in his second match in the promotion at ONE: For Honor four months later in the same city.

The British superstar then moved up a weight class and became the reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion in 2023.

As for Lasiri, the Italian-Moroccan star dropped down a division and stunned Prajanchai PK Saenchai for the ONE strawweight Muay Thai world title in May 2022.

'The Hurricane', however, relinquished the strap back to Prajanchai in December 2023.

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Jonathan Haggerty oozes with confidence ahead of Denver super fight against Superlek

While he may have suffered from undue pressure in his ONE Championship debut, Jonathan Haggerty is now the complete opposite heading into his next world title defense.

Haggerty will defend his ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title against Superlek Kiatmoo9, the ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion, at ONE 168: Denver on September 6 at Ball Arena.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Haggerty predicted that he'll knock Superlek out one way or another.

"I've got the experience, I've got both the belts, and I believe I will stop him. I will beat him for sure."

Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available at Ticketmaster.