“The vision was just to be the best” - Jonathan Haggerty says it’s important to get past Superlek to legitimize status

Reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion 'The General' Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom understands his next fight will likely make or break his career.

Haggerty is out to exorcise his demons in a pivotal world title rematch with ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9 this weekend.

Superlek defeated Haggerty in 2018 at YOKKAO in England, just before the two joined ONE Championship and carved out their legacies in the world's largest martial arts organization.

Speaking to Inside Fighting in a recent interview, Haggerty said he may have had an inkling he would run into Superlek again in ONE Championship.

'The General' said:

"I'm not sure if he was at the back of my mind then. But the vision was just to be the best in the organization. Not sure who was gonna be at the top of that division, but when I signed, it was about being the best version of myself and the best fighter possible."

Needless to say, Haggerty knows this upcoming title defense is important, and a victory over Superlek would cement his status as one of the greatest to ever do it. He added:

"It's because Superlek is the pound-for-pound great. Everybody talks about, not only talks, he is the best pound-for-pound, one of the best pound-for-pound for years."

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'The General' Jonathan Haggerty rematches Superlek Kiatmoo9 for ONE Championship gold at ONE 168: Denver

'The General' Jonathan Haggerty will defend his ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title against flyweight kickboxing king 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9.

The two will go head-to-head in the main event at ONE 168: Denver, which broadcasts live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Friday, Sept. 6.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and free on Amazon Prime Video. Limited tickets are still available via Ticketmaster.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding ONE 168: Denver as it happens.