WATCH: Jonathan Haggerty captures first piece of ONE Championship gold in absolute stunner over Thai legend Sam-A

British striker Jonathan Haggerty has been one of the more formidable world champions in ONE Championship. It all started six years ago when he defeated Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao to become the new flyweight Muay Thai king.

The setting was ONE: For Honor on May 3, 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Despite only making his second outing in ONE, 'The General' proved he belonged with the top guns in the promotion by standing toe-to-toe with Sam-A for the full five rounds and stunning with a unanimous decision victory.

It was an absolute barnburner between the two. They were relentless with their attacks, showcasing their myriad of weapons with a lot of effectiveness. In the end of the back-and-forth, however, it was Haggerty who emerged triumphant.

ONE Championship took to the archives and looked back on what went down between Jonathan Haggerty and Sam-A, posting a video on Instagram of the epic battle for fans to relive ahead of the Orpington native's return next month.

Check out the post below:

Haggerty would lose the flyweight gold in his next match three months later to Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon by decision.

He eventually found his way back to world champion status in April 2023 when he won the bantamweight Muay Thai belt and the division's kickboxing belt in November of the same year.

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Jonathan Haggerty defends bantamweight kickboxing belt for the first time

Jonathan Haggerty returns to action on Feb. 20 at ONE 171: Qatar to defend his kickboxing world title for the first time. He is taking on the challenge of No. 1 contender Wei Rui of China in the headlining contest of the event happening at the Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail.

The 27-year-old British champion became kickboxing king in November 2023 by knocking out bantamweight MMA titleholder Fabricio Andrade for the then-vacant kickboxing belt in an all-champion clash.

Entering ONE 171, Haggerty is coming off losing the bantamweight Muay Thai world title he previously concurrently held to Thai superstar Superlek Kiatmoo9 by knockout back in September in the United States.

Looking to dethrone him is Wei, who won in his ONE debut in May last year with a unanimous decision win over former bantamweight kickboxing world champion Hiroki Akimoto of Japan.

ONE 171: Qatar will be available live and for free at U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.