“He looked a lot bigger” - Freddie Haggerty admits being surprised by Jordan Estupinan’s size at ONE 170

British strawweight striker Freddie Haggerty felt comfortable competing at flyweight in his last match. He, however, admits that he was surprised to realize how much bigger opponent Jordan Estupinan was.

The 20-year-old Knowlesy Academy/Team Underground affiliate took on Colombian Estupinan, who is a natural flyweight, at ONE 170 in January. While he hung tough through the course of the three-rounder, he went on to lose by unanimous decision.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Haggerty recalled what he had to deal with in his first foray at flyweight in ONE Championship, saying:

"I didn't feel like I was out of place, but I do remember saying, like, at the weigh-ins, I felt we were similar size, and then we got in the cage, and he looked a lot bigger than what he was at the weigh-ins. So maybe that was a factor. Maybe I was a little bit more wary because I didn't know anything of him, but I felt comfortable with flyweight. I reckon eventually I will grow into it."

Watch the interview below:

The loss to Estupinan was the first for Freddie Haggerty in four matches to date since making his ONE Championship debut in January last year. All of his victories came in his traditional lane of strawweight and were fashioned by knockout.

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Freddie Haggerty says he is open to still compete at flyweight

Freddie Haggerty had it tough in his first match at flyweight, but it has not deterred him from wanting to compete again at the 135-lb division if the opportunity presents itself.

He made it known in the same interview with the South China Morning Post, highlighting that while he has to make adjustments in his game and how he approaches it, by and large, flyweight is not too much of a stretch for him.

Haggerty said:

"I felt good. I always feel good at strawweight anyway. So going up to flyweight, I'm never really deflated or anything at strawweight, so going up to flyweight was just a bigger version of myself."

While he is open to continue accepting matches at flyweight, in the same interview with SCMP, Haggerty mentioned that he is set to return to strawweight in his next match, which is still to be announced.