“They’re paving the way” - Jonathan Haggerty applauds ONE Championship’s massive support in changing Muay Thai fighters’ lives

Former flyweight and bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty gave props to ONE Championship for the role it has played in changing the lives of athletes in the "art of eight limbs" through the promotion's live events.

'The General' highlighted this in a recent interview on the Winners Talking Podcast, which premiered last month, sharing how ONE has provided an improved platform for Muay Thai fighters like him to showcase what they are capable of.

Haggerty said:

"Back then, in Thai boxing, you'd just fight for the love of it. You've got to sell your tickets to earn money. But now, with ONE Championship, obviously they're paving the way. They've got all the Thais. They're changing the lives of Thai fighters."

Check out what he had to say below:

ONE Championship started over a decade ago as an MMA-only organization but in recent years had incorporated other martial arts, including Muay Thai, which it features not only in its main shows but also in its weekly ONE Friday Fights series.

The move has given rise to fighters like Jonathan Haggerty, who is now considered one of the superstars of the promotion.

Jonathan Haggerty defends kickboxing gold at ONE 171

Apart from Muay Thai, Jonathan Haggerty has also done well in competing in kickboxing under ONE Championship, where he is the reigning bantamweight world champion. He is to defend his title when he returns to action at ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20.

The Englishman will make his first defense of the kickboxing gold, which he claimed in November last year with a KO win over bantamweight MMA king Fabricio Andrade for the then-vacant world title. He is going up against top contender Wei Rui of China in the headlining contest of the event happening at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar.

Haggerty was last in action in September in the United States, where he lost the bantamweight Muay Thai world title to Thai superstar Superlek Kiatmoo9 by knockout. It is something he looks to redeeem himself from at ONE 171.

Out to dislodge him as bantamweight kickboxing top dog is Wei, a multiple-time K-1 champion who had an impressive ONE debut in May, where he defeated former bantamweight world champion Hiroki Akimoto of Japan by decision.

ONE 171 will be aired live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.